Senator John Fetterman from Pennsylvania expressed on Wednesday his openness to the idea of the United States buying Greenland, emphasizing its strategic importance and wealth of natural resources.
Fetterman highlighted the necessity of fostering “strong ties” to the island nation, proposing that acquiring Greenland could help secure valuable military assets, including rare earth minerals. The discussions around Greenland gained traction following remarks from former President Donald Trump who considered it vital for national security.
“In a perfect world, we could buy Greenland. It’s not scandalous,” Fetterman told reporters at the Capitol, noting the topic has been contemplated historically. “Of course, I’d never endorse a traditional invasion of Greenland… If a purchase isn’t feasible, we need to maintain a solid relationship.”
He remarked, “What is Greenland, really? It’s three times the size of Texas, yet has fewer inhabitants than Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Not exactly a typical country.”
Fetterman further stated that Greenland holds significant strategic resources, including rare minerals, but he remains clear that he doesn’t support any large-scale military actions or invasions. He pointed out that the island has around 50,000 residents and lacks a formal army.
On Tuesday, the White House commented on the President’s discussions about various options for this foreign policy goal, indicating that the use of U.S. military forces could be on the table if needed.
Trump previously stated, “Greenland is crucial for national security.” He mentioned concerns about Russian and Chinese naval presence in the area and insisted on the necessity of Greenland from a security standpoint, claiming that Denmark might not be able to manage this adequately.
Senator Rand Paul from Kentucky also shared his support for the idea of purchasing Greenland but is not in favor of military occupation. He expressed that it isn’t wise to approach negotiations belligerently, saying, “If I’m interested in buying something, the last thing I want to say is that I despise you.”
Paul added that a more diplomatic approach might be beneficial, akin to successful historical acquisitions like the Louisiana and Alaska purchases.
Senator Eric Schmidt from Missouri characterized Denmark’s claims over Greenland as “vague” and ardently believes that the U.S. should actively pursue the acquisition. He articulated the strategic value of Greenland, mentioning its significance for national defense and resources.
Schmidt pointed out the activities of China and Russia off the coast of Greenland and argued that Denmark lacks the protective capability for the territory, making a strong U.S. interest imperative.
