Greenland Was America's Friend. Now It’s a Takeover Target.

Greenland Was America's Friend. Now It’s a Takeover Target.For decades, Greenland was one of America's quietest and most dependable partners in the North Atlantic.During the Cold War, the U.S. built Thule Air Base (now Pituffik Space Base) on the island’s northwest coast — a critical radar and missile-defense outpost that helped monitor Soviet submarines and ballistic missiles. In return, Denmark (which retains sovereignty over Greenland) received security guarantees and economic support. The relationship was symbiotic, low-profile, and mutually beneficial.That era feels like ancient history in January 2026.Since returning to the White House, President Donald Trump has revived — and dramatically escalated — his long-standing desire to acquire or control Greenland. In a January 7 Truth Social post, he wrote:"Greenland is vital to American national security. Rare earths, Arctic routes, China & Russia circling — we either own it or we defend it. Time to bring our friend home."The statement reignited a diplomatic firestorm that first flared in 2019 when Trump floated the idea of purchasing the island outright (an idea Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen famously called "absurd").Why Greenland Matters So Much in 2026Several converging factors have turned the world’s largest island into one of the most strategically contested pieces of real estate on Earth:Critical Minerals — Greenland holds some of the largest undeveloped deposits of rare-earth elements, lithium, graphite, and other materials essential for batteries, wind turbines, electric vehicles, and defense systems. China currently dominates ~80–90% of global rare-earth processing; the U.S. wants to break that stranglehold. Arctic Melting & New Sea Routes — Climate change is opening the Northwest Passage and Northern Sea Route for commercial shipping. Control of Greenland gives strategic oversight over these emerging corridors. Military Competition — Russia has reopened dozens of Soviet-era Arctic bases. China has declared itself a "near-Arctic state" and invested heavily in infrastructure. The U.S. sees Greenland as the western anchor of Arctic defense. Pituffik Space Base — The U.S. already operates the northernmost U.S. military installation on Greenland. Expanding or fully controlling the island would secure long-term access without Danish veto power. The Danish & Greenlandic ResponseDenmark has reiterated — politely but firmly — that Greenland is not for sale.Greenlandic Prime Minister Múte Egede went further, declaring: "We are not a commodity. We are a people with the right to self-determination."Public opinion in Greenland remains overwhelmingly opposed to U.S. annexation, though support for greater economic independence from Denmark (and thus openness to foreign investment) has grown.A New U.S. Playbook?Rather than an outright purchase, analysts believe the Trump administration is pursuing a multi-pronged strategy:Massive infrastructure investment offers (ports, airports, rare-earth mining concessions) Increased military presence and basing rights negotiations Economic pressure on Denmark via NATO burden-sharing demands Public "reminder" statements designed to keep the issue alive The White House has also floated the idea of offering Greenlanders U.S. citizenship and statehood — a proposal met with derision in Nuuk and Copenhagen.Geopolitical Stakes in the Arctic EndgameGreenland is no longer just a Cold War listening post. It sits at the center of a new great-power contest for Arctic dominance — a race involving the United States, Russia, China, Canada, Norway, and Denmark.Whether through diplomacy, investment, or continued public pressure, the Trump administration appears determined to dramatically increase U.S. influence — if not outright ownership — over the strategically vital island.The era when Greenland could quietly be "America’s friend" without becoming a takeover target may be over.