Former United States President Donald Trump has once again placed Greenland at the center of the international debate, claiming that its control is a priority for U.S. national security. The vast Arctic island, which belongs to the Kingdom of Denmark but enjoys self-governance, occupies a key strategic position in the Arctic, a region increasingly contested by powers such as Russia and China.
According to the U.S. administration, Greenland is vital for the control of maritime routes, the deployment of defense systems, and access to natural resources that are becoming more valuable as ice melts. These factors explain why Trump has revived an idea that already sparked controversy during his first term.
However, both the Greenlandic and Danish governments have firmly stated that the island is not for sale, and that any decision about its future must rest with its people.
Can the United States really acquire Greenland?
It is highly unlikely. Beyond strategic interest, local opposition and international pressure make annexation politically unviable in the short term.