President Donald Trump has made it abundantly clear that the United States' desire to acquire Greenland is not just a passing fantasy. America's economic and security interests in Greenland are deeply rooted in American history and strategy dating back to the 19th century, and journalists, commentators, diplomats, and denizens of the “deep state” They are doing themselves a disservice by failing to recognize the president's seriousness about Greenland. the purpose.
It's time to stop discussing President Trump's intentions and instead focus on how to carry out the first major expansion of U.S. territory since the McKinley administration that annexed Hawaii.
The Trump administration can start by keeping one important fact in mind. While the focus has so far been on Denmark's domestic reaction to Trump's comments, Greenlanders themselves have made it clear that they want independence from Copenhagen. Not only has Greenland gradually gained autonomy from Denmark over the past few decades, but Greenlanders have clearly expressed in national policy their desire for independence in the coming decades. 2024 Defense Policy Document.
Importantly, Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede It was recently revealed that his people do not want to become Danes and ultimately seek independence; So President Trump is not dealing with a rebellious Danish colony seeking permanent control by Copenhagen, but with Greenland's people and leaders on the path to eventual sovereignty.
With this in mind, President Trump immediately convened a tripartite meeting with the Prime Ministers of Denmark and Greenland to discuss a number of concrete paths forward, assuming that Greenland would eventually gain independence from Denmark. may be proposed. President Trump will have considerable wiggle room in these discussions, as the people of Greenland have been intentionally vague about when they want Denmark to secede.
First, President Trump could suggest that the United States is prepared to welcome Greenland as a nation upon its independence from Copenhagen, as decided by the Greenlanders and Danes. “Island area” This status currently applies to 14 different entities, including the three independent nations of the United States. “Free Association” Agreements with the United States and territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (purchased) from denmark 1916).
These “island areas” are generally classified as either “unincorporated organized territories” or “unincorporated unorganized territories.” The former, which includes Puerto Rico and Guam, are governed by acts of Congress and have significant local control pursuant to Congressional decisions. The latter are generally governed by more direct input from Washington and less local control, perhaps to the detriment of Greenlanders.
If the “unincorporated organized territory” line appeals to Greenlanders, President Trump could add additional sweeteners taken from Alaska, a former island region that eventually gained statehood. may be included. Beyond the usual benefits given to residents of all U.S. island territories, Greenlanders could be offered a version of the Alaska Permanent Fund that would distribute a portion of the state's oil and gas wealth. .
The Alaska Permanent Fund is an institutional investor for future generations of Alaskans and also pays Permanent Fund dividends that provide guaranteed income to all residents who meet certain basic requirements. These could serve as a template for exploiting Greenland's vast mineral wealth for the benefit of its people, and could substantially assist the island's U.S. government in realizing its subterranean wealth. I understand.
The Trump administration could also easily contrast America's environmental and cultural sensitivities with those of China and Russia, which long for Greenland's independence in order to exploit the island with little regard for its inhabitants.
Second, President Trump has a unique tool in his kit to offer Greenlanders in negotiations. The United States compact of free association It includes three Pacific islands: the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau. These islands are independent countries with independent foreign policies, and their defense and security is guaranteed by the United States. Additional financial incentives are being offered to each of the three islands. In Palau's case, that includes a trust fund that has done much to improve the island's long-term economic health.
Such an agreement with Greenland would include independence, guarantees of U.S. defense and security (including unrestricted U.S. military access), and Alaska for the responsible management and distribution of a portion of Greenland's mineral resources. or the creation of a Palau-style fund.
Finally, pending resolution of Greenland's independence from Denmark, President Trump can immediately make a request to America's allies in Copenhagen. Denmark's efforts to defend Greenland have so far been woefully inadequate, especially in the face of China and Russia's increasing adventurism in the Arctic. Denmark could pledge to immediately commit additional air, missile, and naval assets to Greenland, and join the United States in petitioning NATO for additional Arctic joint defense commitments. If NATO is serious about maintaining its relevance in the 21st century, defending the alliance's northern flank must be a priority.
At first, American and European intellectuals dismissed President Trump's interest in Greenland as a joke. When that became unsustainable, President Trump blithely assured the world that he had no option to realize America's historic security interests in Greenland. Nothing could be further from the truth.
In the hands of an experienced dealmaker like Trump, the government would have a strong option to incorporate Greenland into the United States while strengthening common economic and security interests. .
Alexander B. Gray, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Policy, served as deputy chief of staff and chief of staff on the White House National Security Council from 2019 to 2021.
