Donald Trump Jr. on Tuesday, touched down in Greenland, the Arctic island his father, President-elect Donald Trump, has repeatedly expressed interest in purchasing. While Trump Jr. described the trip as a casual visit, saying,  “as an outdoorsman, I’m excited to stop into Greenland for this week,” it has fueled speculation about his father’s intentions for the territory.

Reviving the call for Greenland

President-elect Trump revived the notion of taking Greenland, an idea he proposed during his first term. Recently, during a press conference, Trump made several statements in regard to the island's strategic significance, pointing out that Greenland was necessary for the security of the United States. 

When questioned whether he would apply military or economic pressure to get Greenland or Panama, Trump replied, “No, I can’t assure you on either of those two, but I can say this: We need them for economic security.”

Why is Greenland important to the U.S.?

Greenland is of immense geopolitical value because it is located between North America and Europe. Being the world's largest island with a population of more than 56,000, it is an important point for the defense strategies of the U.S., especially in terms of countering potential Russian threats.

As pointed out by senior researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies Ulrik Pram Gad,  Greenland was strategically important for U.S. security because it lay close to the Northwest Passage and formed part of the strategic Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom maritime gap.

History of U.S. interest in Greenland

The U.S.'s interest in Greenland isn't new. After the purchase of Alaska in 1867, President Andrew Johnson considered acquiring Greenland. After World War II, the Truman administration offered Denmark $100 million for the island, but the deal never materialized. But under a 1951 defense treaty, the U.S. established Pituffik Space Base in Greenland, a key military outpost.

Trump wants to buy Greenland again. Here's why he's so interested in the world's largest island | CNN

What makes Greenland attractive?

According to experts, the interest that Trump has been showing in Greenland is not simply for security. The island offers an abundance of natural resources- oil, gas, and rare earth metals-to name a few. As these materials are rising in demand due to green technology and military, Greenland's riches can help shift U.S. dependence from its current largest importer, China, which controls rare earth.

Climate change and economic opportunities

Climate change is reshaping Greenland's landscape, as melting ice opens up new shipping lanes and potentially unlocks access to its resources. On the one hand, these changes bring economic opportunities. However, experts say that Arctic conditions remain challenging for navigation and resource extraction.

Could the U.S. actually acquire Greenland?

Despite Trump's interests, Greenland and Denmark have unequivocally rebuffed the idea of selling the island. In fact, the Prime Minister of Greenland, Múte Egede, commented, “We are not for sale and will never be for sale,” stressing the country's continued fight for full independence.

Future of Greenland and U.S. Relations

While Trump's words have created controversy, the future of U.S. interests in Greenland is unclear. According to some analysts, a special association like the U.S. agreements with the Marshall Islands could be a possibility: financial support in exchange for strategic cooperation. But many are skeptical, and former Greenland Prime Minister Kuupik V. Kleist doubts such an arrangement would work.