Why is the U.S. targeting Greenland? | Explained

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Greenland finds itself in the centre of a major geopolitical flashpoint. U.S. President Donald Trump has recently threatened to annex Greenland, “one way or, the other”. U.S. interest in the island has shaken not just Denmark but also the long-standing NATO alliance. A possible U.S. capture of Greenland can have extreme repercussions on Europe’s security cooperation and military systems. What remains to be seen are the main reasons behind U.S. ambitions and the role of other power players in the region. The U.S. has maintained its military presence and a radar station in Greenland since the end of World War II. 

Why is the U.S. radar station situated in Greenland? 

At the time of World War II, Denmark had agreed for the U.S. to occupy Greenland and make military bases to protect it from German occupation. Both countries eventually became the founding members of NATO, and Denmark agreed to U.S. troops staying in Greenland. In 1951, they signed a treaty of the common defence of Greenland, which is in effect even today. In that sense, Greenland is already a vital part of the U.S. security system. During World War II, America operated 15 military bases and stationed 10,000 soldiers in Greenland. Now it has one operational base and about 200 soldiers in Greenland. 

The U.S. has built one of its most important radar stations at Pituffik base. It is the United States’ northernmost military base. This facility was set up during the Cold War to detect and counter missiles from the Soviet Union. At that time, it was built with the consent and cooperation of the Danish Government.

What is the strategic importance of Greenland? 

Greenland is one of the biggest island nations in the world. But only 57 thousand people live there. Most settlements are spread around the coastline. And the region faces some of the harshest climate conditions throughout the year. Greenland is an autonomous territory within Denmark. It is covered under NATO due to Denmark’s membership. It is strategically positioned between the U.S., Canada, the EU and Russia. So, anyone who controls Greenland controls the Arctic region. This has made the region even more attractive to the U.S. 

Moreover, due to the melting of the Arctic, the ocean around Greenland is also changing. Many economies view this as an opportunity for opening new sea routes. The number of ships passing through the Arctic has increased by 30%. Compared to the route through the Suez Canal, the journey through the northern route via the Arctic can save weeks of travel time and fuel costs. And Greenland is at the heart of this route.

Even today, 80% of major trade takes place by sea. Russia has been rapidly militarising Arctic frontiers and building many military bases along its northern coastline. Owing to Russian and Chinese interference in the Arctic region, Donald Trump insists that it is important to exercise control over Greenland to secure its military facilities and its strategic outpost. Thus, from a security point of view, it is vital for the U.S. It can monitor Russian submarines and detect any missile warning or movement from Eurasia. This helps in countering any military movements against the region effectively. 

In light of the recent developments in Latin America, where the U.S. has resorted to hard power politics, it has become essential for the U.S. to fortify its military bases. Greenland gives the USA a huge strategic advantage over the Arctic and the northern hemisphere in general. Moreover, the U.S. sees several economic opportunities in Greenland. 

What is Greenland’s economic importance? 

Greenland is rich in oil, hydrocarbon resources, rare earths, rare magnets, minerals and base metals more than any other geographical area in the world. But to that effect, the mining sector remains completely unexplored. Greenland has $4 trillion worth of oil and rare mineral reserves. 

The mining industry is waiting to excavate the resource-rich island. And this has become one of the most attractive economic opportunities.

 Outside of Greenland, only China has a monopoly over the vast rare earth minerals. About 13% of undiscovered oil and 30% of gas worldwide is in the Arctic. There are 17 elements on the Periodic Table essential for modern living, and they are found in abundance in China. These elements are used in electric gadgets, electric vehicles, cars, mobile phones, lights, air-conditioners, and many more. America needs rare earth minerals for manufacturing its F-35 fighter jets and is deeply affected with China regulating and limiting the supply of these rare magnets. 

In May 2025, as the trade war intensified, China blocked the exports of rare earth magnets to the U.S. This hit the U.S. industries severely. China further restricted more rare earth elements, as well as the equipment to process them. It was argued that securing as well as processing of rare earth minerals was critical to the booming industries. China’s monopoly on them puts it at a great strategic advantage. This does not go down well with Western powers.

 Japan is the only country that has managed to reduce its dependence on Chinese rare earth minerals from 90% to 50%. Over the years, Russia and China have increased their presence in the Arctic region and have invested billions of dollars–from an Arctic belt and road initiative to bidding for vital infrastructure projects in Greenland. This has rattled the U.S. administration.

What will happen to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation?

 The U.S. is one of the biggest players in NATO. The core pillar of NATO is collective defence, where an attack on one is considered an attack on all 32 countries, party to the North Atlantic Treaty organization. Any military action against Greenland will be an attack on Denmark, which will mean that one NATO member is attacking another NATO member, in effect dismantling the idea of collective defence.

The U.S. is the primary strategic planner for NATO and is the largest contributor to NATO, with 70% of total defence spending contributed by the U.S. 

NATO is expected to collapse in the event of a U.S. attack on Greenland or Denmark. If NATO is dismantled, it will mean a huge overhaul for European defence systems. Defence planning, procurement, and command structure will be disintegrated.

Can America buy Greenland?

 The U.S. has made attempts to purchase Greenland in the past as well. In 1867 and 1946. Greenland held such high strategic importance that in 1946, the U.S. made an offer of $100 million in gold to buy Greenland, but Denmark declined at the time. 

Recently, Washington made an unprecedented proposal offering anything between $10,000 and $100,000 to every Greenlander in cash to break away from Denmark and align with the U.S. 

Recently, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Britain and Denmark have issued a joint statement that only Denmark and Greenland could make decisions regarding Greenland. The public opinion in Greenland is strongly opposed to U.S. annexation. A recent survey shows that about 85% of Greenland residents don’t want to leave the Danish union to become a part of the U.S. While 84% support eventual independence, most prefer to be with Denmark. Only 6% chose the U.S.

 Washington’s 2026 foreign policy dynamic is resorting to hard power politics. So, a U.S. intervention in Greenland cannot be ruled out. In the light of the U.S. attack on Venezuela, the possibility of a military annexation of the island looms over Denmark, Greenland and their NATO allies.

Greenland’s public opinion and criticism?

The U.S. has been severely criticised for its interventionist approach. It is termed a bully who wants to acquire geographical regions rich in natural resources without contributing to the development and socio-political aspects of the region. 

It already has everything it needs from a U.S. security perspective. If it needs to increase its presence and military base in Greenland, it only needs to ask Denmark. It has its military base; it has an agreement with Denmark, which allows the U.S. to use Greenland for security purposes. It is the founding member of NATO, which in itself protects and justifies the use of military bases in Greenland. So, the U.S. seeking to acquire Greenland for security purposes does not make sense to Greenlanders. It is argued that the only possible U.S. interest may be handing over the region to crony capitalists, for the economic exploitation of the region and its mineral-rich reserves.

 What is Trump’s interest in Greenland?

 In 2021, Mr. Trump was seen saying, “I am in real estate. And when I look at it on a map, I feel we should have it. It is no different from a real estate deal.” He is first a businessman and is known to have business interests in every area. His approach is purely crude and capitalist in nature, rather than that of a leader of a superpower nation. This idea of buying Greenland was said to have been floated to Mr. Trump by his longtime friend and former colleague, Roland Lauder, who owns a cosmetic conglomerate.

 It is observed that a short while after he expressed interest in Greenland, some of the world’s wealthiest people made explicit investments in Greenland. The investments were made via KoBold, which is a privately held company whose main investors include Breakthrough Energy, a climate and technology fund backed by Bill Gates, Michael Bloomberg, and Jeff Bezos. The capitalist lobby is at the centre of this entire geopolitical scandal.