The first Trump administration aspired to acquire Greenland; the second is now seriously increasing the pressure. Greenland, a large island in the Arctic, has been part of Denmark since 1814. Today, it is a Danish autonomous territory and the largest by land area of the country’s three parts, the others being Denmark and the Faroes. A few days ago, President Trump suddenly spoke of a timeline of 20 days or maybe two months; a takeover within three years is being discussed. The administration has proposed various ways to acquire Greenland, including convincing its approximately 60,000 people to join the US, a buyout, and forming a compact of free association like those the US has with some Pacific islands. In 2025 Denmark objected to the US undertaking covert influence operations in Greenland. The US has refused to discuss the future of Greenland with the Danish and Greenlandic governments. Now, in the wake of the Venezuela raid and with talk of US dominance of the Western Hemisphere, the US has firmly linked military options with Greenland.
Australia’s suddenly emerging Greenland dilemma | Lowy Institute
