Greenland: War or Peaceful Annexation?

US President Donald Trump insists he will annex Greenland for defense purposes, claiming he aims to prevent both China and Russia from invading the territory.

There is a lot of hype in Trump’s speeches about Greenland, but there is little indication that he will take aggressive action against Denmark or invade Greenland at any time.

However, beyond the rhetoric, one consistent point made by Trump regarding this issue is that Greenland is located in the Western Hemisphere (Greenland forms part of the Arctic region).

Arctic peace

According to Trump, with this geographical and geopolitical perspective, it should be secured under the military protection of the United States.

But the US has more than 100 military personnel permanently stationed in Greenland at its Pituffik base in the north-western tip. It has ben there and is operated by the US since World War Two.

Trump knows that he has the power to bring in more troops to beef-up security but he dismissed the lease agreement as ‘not good enough’.

“Countries can’t make nine-year deals or even 100-year deals,” he said, adding that they had to have ownership.

“I love the people of China. I love the people of Russia,” Trump said. “But I don’t want them as a neighbour in Greenland, not going to happen.

“And by the way, Nato’s got to understand that.”

No war – no annexation?

There is still a possibility that Trump will send more troops to Greenland, as he is legally allowed to do so. He may then declare that the occupation and conquest of Greenland is over and done with.

He might also post on X or Truth Social later to claim he is the ‘President of Greenland,’ but it will have no legal effect.

Meanwhile, Denmark’s NATO allies, including major European countries and Canada, have united in support this week, stating that “only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning their relations.”

European countries will probably push the US to accept their views on how Greenland can become a major US stronghold without a change of ownership.

They could negotiate an agreement with Trump that gives his associates more influence over the territory’s resources and defense composition.

But war in Greenland? A US conflict with NATO troops? These scenarios do not sound plausible. The US has bigger issues to address, particularly Iran, as demonstrations are striking the Ayatollah regime harder than ever before.

Business News