In the month since Donald Trump took office as President of the United States for the second time, his administration has reignited the flames of American imperialism with rhetoric suggesting territorial ambitions around the globe. Perhaps the most striking example comes from Trump’s outspoken desire to take the currently self-governing territory of Greenland. This shift towards a more aggressive U.S. foreign policy has sparked controversy both at home and abroad, as nations condemn Trump’s push to assert American hegemony, and comes at the same time Greenland’s self-determination movement has grown, with many Greenlanders desiring a shift towards independence rather than merely trading one overlord for another.
During Trump’s first term as president, he infamously floated the offer to purchase Greenland, likening it to a ‘large real-estate deal.’ At the time, this offer was mostly brushed off as an unserious idea with Denmark’s outright refusal. After retaking office in 2025, Trump has once again repeated his plans to acquire Greenland. He has also refused to rule out economic or military force to establish U.S. control over the territory, describing Greenland as an ‘absolute necessity’ for national security and citing the need to counter growing Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic.
The reason for this is simple: Greenland’s strategic location makes it a prized asset. The island offers the shortest route for military and commercial traffic across the Atlantic between North America and Europe. The U.S.-operated Pituffik Space Base in northern Greenland is critical for early-warning systems and space surveillance, and Trump has expressed interest in expanding this military presence to combat Russian and Chinese activities.
Beyond its military value, Greenland is rich in natural resources. Rare earth minerals, essential for modern technologies like batteries and renewable energy systems, lie in vast reserves on the island. According to a 2023 survey, 25 of the 34 minerals deemed ‘critical raw materials’ by the European Commission are found in Greenland. While mining has been limited due to harsh conditions and logistical challenges, global powers such as the United States have shown increasing interest in Greenland’s resource potential.
In response to Trump’s heavy-handed approach to acquiring Greenland, the territory’s leaders have firmly rejected his advances. Prime Minister Mute Egede has repeatedly stated that Greenland is not for sale, emphasizing the island’s desire for independence and self-determination. “Greenland is for the Greenlandic people. We do not want to be Danish, we do not want to be American. We want to be Greenlandic,” Egede declared at a news conference in Copenhagen. Greenland was a Danish colony from 1721 to 1953 and remains a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. In 2009, Greenland gained the right to declare independence through a referendum, though it has yet to do so. For many Greenlanders, independence is not just a political goal but a cultural imperative. The island’s population of 56,000 is predominantly Inuit, with many viewing independence as a way to reclaim their identity and sovereignty after centuries of colonial rule.
Public opinion in Greenland overwhelmingly supports independence. A recent poll found that 84% of Greenlanders would support independence so long as it did not significantly lower the standard of living, with only 6% preferring American control to Danish. Despite centuries of colonialism, Greenlanders remain proud of their heritage and culture. Figures like Qupanuk Olsen, a prominent influencer who advocates for Inuit rights and independence, have criticized Denmark’s colonial legacy, citing abuses such as the forced relocation of Inuit communities and the placement of IUDs in young Inuit girls without consent during the 1960s and 70s.
Denmark, as Greenland’s colonial ruler, stands to play a pivotal role in the current turmoil. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has emphasized the centrality of the Greenlandic people in deciding the island’s future. At the same time, Denmark has announced its plans to boost defence spending in Greenland by $1.5 billion in a move seen as a response to Trump’s threats. Despite this supposed commitment to Greenlandic sovereignty, Denmark’s relationship with the territory remains complex. The Danish government provides an annual subsidy of about $500 million to support Greenland’s economy, however many Greenlanders view this as a form of economic dependency. Greenland’s economy relies heavily on fishing, tourism, and Danish aid, and achieving full independence would require significant economic diversification, particularly by developing its mining sector and other related industries.
Trump’s interest in Greenland is part of a broader pattern of expansionist rhetoric. In addition to Greenland, Trump has floated the idea of making Canada the 51st U.S. state, seizing control of the Panama Canal, and taking over the Gaza Strip and ethnically cleansing the Palestinians living within. These proposals have been met with widespread criticism domestically and internationally. European leaders, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, have condemned Trump’s threats, emphasizing the importance of respecting sovereign borders.
The Arctic, in particular, is becoming a focal point of global competition. As climate change opens new shipping routes and access to natural resources, the region attracts increased attention from major powers. Russia has modernized its Arctic military installations, while China has invested heavily in Arctic infrastructure and resource extraction. For the U.S., Greenland represents a strategic foothold in this emerging battleground. Greenland’s future will be shaped by its ability to balance the demands of independence with the realities of geopolitics and environmental change. For now, one thing is clear: Greenland is not for sale, and its people are determined to chart their own course in the 21st century.
This is an article written by a Staff Writer. Catalyst is a student-led platform that fosters engagement with global issues from a learning perspective. The opinions expressed above do not necessarily reflect the views of the publication.
Edited by Isaac Yong
Alexander Morris-Schwarz is a third-year student at McGill University where he is majoring in Political Science with a minor in Communication Studies. Alexander is currently a staff writer for Catalyst and he is interested in international relations and imperialism.