Europe Should Be Begging Trump to Buy Greenland

AMAC ^ | Tuesday, January 13, 2026 | Shane Harris

[E. Pluribus Unum]

President Donald Trump has renewed his push for the United States to acquire Greenland from Denmark, again prompting gasps and outrage from elected Democrats and European elites. But the historical record and geopolitical reality suggest that acquiring the island territory would be not only fair compensation for American involvement in Europe since the start of World War II, but also a critical check against encroaching Chinese and Russian influence in the Arctic.

Trump’s latest quip that Greenland’s defense is “two dog sleds” has the global liberal media tripping over itself to “fact-check” this obvious hyperbole and declare Trump an evil imperialist. But Trump is only highlighting a glaring security lapse in what is fast becoming one of the most important regions on the planet. It doesn’t require anything more than basic common sense to understand that Denmark, Europe, the United States, and the entire free world would be better off if Washington, rather than Copenhagen, took the lead on defending Greenland.

The idea of the United States purchasing Greenland is hardly some wild brainstorm cooked up on social media. American leaders proposed buying the island for $5.5 million as far back as 1868, and again offered $100 million in 1946.

The strategic logic was obvious even then. Greenland sits astride vital North Atlantic and Arctic sea routes that are becoming increasingly important in the 21st century. The United States also controls the most significant military installation on the island, the Pituffik Space Base, which plays a critical role in missile warning, space surveillance, and Arctic operations.

In short, the United States already shoulders the real burden of Greenland’s defense, just like American taxpayers carry the financial load when it comes to the defense of continental Europe.

That reality exists because of a much larger story that U.S...

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TOPICS: Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: pituffik; pituffikspacebase; spacebase

[frank ballenger]

But unlike the Temptations they are too proud to beg.

[iamgalt]

Europe hates Trump. Everything goes through that prism. It would be beneficial for all sides but they cannot see it because it is Trump.

[ansel12]

I agree, Greenland’s long term future does not include remaining a vast, rich, unpopulated and unprotected island safe from the coming times of the next few decades.

They and Denmark need to make decisions about the long term, because this current status quo is not eternal and won’t endure.

[DIRTYSECRET]

The good news is no one wants to move there. Colonial history would suggest too much cultural change for locals whenever the evil capitalists take over. They could be very rich someday and not know what to do with all that wealth. Guyana is in the same place with all its oil. Remember oil was discovered in Mexico in the 70’s? Didn’t help.

Greenlanders could really live it up as long as they get rich slowly.

[ansel12]

Not sure what that was about, but I did read it.

[CapandBall]

DJT should tell the Euroweenies & NATO: “If you want the USA to protect you from Russia, Russia, Russia, we need Greenland as a FOB… otherwise you are on your own.”

[chajin]

They would give Greenland to President Walz.

[gnarledmaw]

If they dont take whatever he is offering now then they will have to take whatever crumbs he throws them after the 21st.

Rapid change will be coming soon.

Trump and the US dont really have another option. We are taking back the western hemisphere and life in Europe will devolve into little better than a bad ‘70s apocalypse movie.
Its the Donroe doctrine for the US and the end of the United States funding globalism. Core 5 and regional hegemony in, G7 and other nations dragging us into bad wars is out.

[XRdsRev]

“If they dont take whatever he is offering now then they will have to take whatever crumbs he throws them after the 21st”

This is getting silly. You all seem to forget that President Trump has zero Constitutional ability to obligate the US to purchase Greenland even for a dollar. Unless Congress agrees to expend the funds and unless a treaty is approved by 2/3rds of the Senate, this whole scenario cannot happen. The odds of a Greenland treaty being approved are exceedingly remote.

The other mentioned course of action would be just trash the Constitution and become another imperialist empire that just invades and takes what we want. This isn’t even adhering to the Monroe Doctrine which had a non interference element meaning the US pledged to not interfere with existing European colonies and possessions.

We already have agreements with Denmark and Greenland which basically gives us carte Blanche to increase our military presence there, so the whole “National security” angle seems like a smokescreen to instead get a hold of Greenlands vast natural resources.