I first became aware that President Trump wanted to acquire, or annex, Greenland sometime in 2024. As it turns out, this wasn’t a new idea by the president. Trump first raised it publicly during his first term in August 2019, suggesting the United States might buy the island from Denmark.

Digging deeper I found that America’s interest in Greenland goes back much further than Trump. In 1867, Secretary of State William H. Seward, the man who bought Alaska, floated the idea of acquiring Greenland (and Iceland). Denmark moaned about it so no formal offer was made.

The idea resurfaced again in 1946, when President Harry Truman officially offered Denmark $100 million in gold for Greenland. Denmark rejected that offer as well. That is $1.662 billion in today’s money.  

So whatever one thinks of Trump, this idea is not some recent fever dream.

My initial reaction upon hearing it was simple: it’s not a crazy idea.

Greenland’s Arctic location is strategically valuable, especially given its proximity to Russia and growing Chinese interest in the region. A negotiated purchase would presumably come with substantial benefits for Greenland’s roughly 57,000 residents, potentially far more than what they receive now. Bet they could all use new space heaters.

Trump’s rationale is straightforward and defensible – a) Strategic military positioning in the Arctic; b) Countering Russian and Chinese influence; and c) Access to critical minerals and rare-earth elements.

Naturally, because it was Trump’s idea, Europe rejected it outright. And just as naturally, once the idea was rebuffed, Trump doubled down during his second term—raising the possibility not just of purchase, but of annexation, with the implied reminder that the U.S. military exists.

Greenland, Denmark (which retains sovereignty), and NATO have all stated that Greenland is not for sale under any circumstances. Maybe that’s sincere. Maybe it’s a negotiating position. My father always said I was a suspicious bastard, so I’ll leave that open.

A little historical context: Greenland was “discovered” by the Viking, Erik the Red around 985 AD. Denmark asserted its sovereignty in 1721 when a missionary was established by Hans Egede. It wasn’t ruled officially as part of Denmark until 1933 by the Permanent Court of International Justice. That court no longer exists – but its decision still does. So, technically, Denmark owns it.

Then in 1951 the US was granted full access to the island to establish military bases when the Greenland Defense Agreement was signed.

What prompted this commentary was a recent Associated Press headline reporting that European troops had been sent to Greenland. France has even warned that any U.S. seizure of Greenland would jeopardize broader cooperation and strain trade relations. From the headlines, a low-information reader might get the idea that NATO is collapsing or another war is brewing.

Troops? The deployment, described as symbolic and tied to NATO Arctic cooperation, is very small. In fact, it is minute. Germany reportedly sent a whopping 13 soldiers. France has confirmed a small contingent, as well as contributions from Sweden, Norway, Finland, and the Netherlands. The UK, not to be outdone, reportedly sent one officer.

Sending a handful of troops to Greenland feels less like a military deterrent and more like a strongly worded Post-it note from a group of hall monitors. There are probably more journalists stationed there than soldiers.

This might be a good time to remind them, had it not been for the United States, France and the rest of Europe would be speaking German. When things get serious, Europe ultimately relies on American money and American military power. Sending troops symbolically is a giant middle finger to the US and I suspect, their dislike of President Trump.

It will be interesting to see how all this plays out. Military intervention by the US should not be considered. Diplomacy with Denmark and Greenland (bypassing other European governments and the outrage machine of the media) should be negotiated privately.

Once Greenland has come under US control, Canada might be next, an idea that should terrify Ottawa and amuse everyone else.