Why does the United States want to acquire Greenland?

The United States has intermittently sought to acquire Greenland since the 19th century due to its strategic location for mainland defense and natural resources. While past attempts involved diplomatic offers and purchase proposals, recent pushes by President Donald Trump sparked a major diplomatic crisis involving threats of tariffs and military force. Ultimately, Greenland and Denmark rejected any change in sovereignty, leading instead to an agreement for an expanded U.S. military footprint.

What we know

• The United States first discussed purchasing Greenland from Denmark in 1867 under Secretary of State William H. Seward. [2]
• During World War II, the United States occupied Greenland under the Monroe Doctrine to prevent its use by Germany. [2]
• In 2025 and 2026, Donald Trump's second administration renewed demands for annexation, triggering a diplomatic crisis with Denmark and the European Union. [2, 3]
• An overwhelming majority of Greenlanders, approximately 85%, oppose an American takeover. [2]
• In September 2026, the U.S., Denmark, and Greenland signed an agreement granting the United States rights to an expanded military footprint without transferring sovereignty. [3]

Still open

• Whether future U.S. administrations will renew efforts to acquire Greenland's sovereignty despite firm Danish and Greenlandic refusals.

Where to go next

• what caused itWhat caused the 2025-2026 diplomatic standoff over Greenland?
• what followedHow did European allies respond to American threats during the crisis?
• how it workedWhat military and strategic agreements currently govern U.S. presence in Greenland?
• whenHow long has Denmark exercised colonial and sovereign control over Greenland?
• compared withHas the United States ever attempted to annex Canada as well?
• an unexpected connectionWhy did a lack of a Nobel Peace Prize tie into threats against Greenland?Leaked correspondence revealed that Donald Trump felt less obligated to pursue peace after not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, directly fueling his aggressive stance on Greenland.

Sources

• [1]proposed United States acquisition of Greenland (Wikidata Q86750805) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Proposed United States acquisition of Greenland · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Greenland crisis · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]History of Greenland · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Movements for the United States annexation of Canada · CC BY-SA 4.0