President Donald Trump insists America must take control of the Arctic island for national security
The US could have to pay up to $700 billion to acquire Greenland, NBC reported on Wednesday, citing scholars and former officials involved in planning the potential acquisition.
President Donald Trump has recently intensified his push to bring Greenland – an autonomous territory within Denmark – under US control, vowing to achieve it “one way or another,” including by force.
On Wednesday, he offered a new rationale, saying Greenland is vital to his proposed Golden Dome missile defense system. Posting on Truth Social, he claimed Russia and China could threaten the island and repeated his mockery of Denmark’s defenses, saying, “Two dogsleds won’t do it!”
According to NBC, Trump has ordered Secretary of State Marco Rubio to draft a proposal to buy Greenland. Researchers preparing acquisition plans reportedly estimate the cost at $500-$700 billion – more than half of the Department of War’s annual budget.
Sources within the government say the US is most likely to pursue either buying the island or striking a deal – such as a compact of free association that trades US financial aid for a larger military presence. However, some warn the US could still consider using force to acquire Greenland.
The authorities in Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly said the island is not for sale and condemned Trump’s rhetoric as a direct threat to Danish sovereignty.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Greenland Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt traveled to Washington on Wednesday to seek clarity on Trump’s intentions. After meeting with Rubio and Vice President J.D. Vance, Rasmussen described the talks as “constructive,” but acknowledged that the core dispute remains unresolved, saying “it’s clear that Trump has this wish of conquering Greenland.”
Both Rasmussen and Motzfeldt said they made it clear that Denmark and Greenland reject any change to the island’s sovereignty but agreed to form a “high-level working group” with the US to “explore if we can find a common way forward.” The group is expected to meet in the coming weeks.
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Greenlanders overwhelmingly reject joining the US. A Berlingske poll last year found that 85% are opposed. The idea is also unpopular in the US. An Economist-YouGov poll this week shows more than two-thirds of Americans oppose acquiring Greenland.
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