President-elect Donald Trump reignited the long-standing debate over Greenland, describing the autonomous Danish territory’s ownership as an “absolute necessity” for the United States.
Trump shared his thoughts on Truth Social while announcing Ken Howery, a PayPal co-founder, as his choice for the next U.S. ambassador to Denmark.
“For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity. Ken will do a wonderful job in representing the interests of the United States,” Trump wrote.
Greenland, which gained autonomy from Denmark in 1979, still relies on Copenhagen for its foreign affairs, security, and financial matters. The territory is highly valued for its vast reserves of natural resources, including uranium, gold, oil, and gas.
The idea of U.S. interest in Greenland is not new. In 1946, President Harry Truman proposed purchasing the island for $100 million in gold. More recently, in 2019, Trump floated the idea of acquiring Greenland during his presidency. The proposal sparked diplomatic tensions between Washington and Copenhagen, leading to the cancellation of a planned state visit to Denmark.
Danish leaders were unimpressed by the proposal. “Greenland is not for sale. Greenland is not Danish. Greenland belongs to Greenland. I strongly hope that this is not meant seriously,” said Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen during a 2019 visit to the island.
While Trump’s initial push to acquire Greenland fizzled out during his first term and was abandoned by President Joe Biden’s administration, his latest remarks suggest he plans to revisit the issue once he assumes office again.