America's fixation on Greenland: Implications and policy options for Europe

Michael Paul

No 8/2026, SWP Comments from Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP), German Institute for International and Security Affairs

Abstract: The acquisition of Greenland has repeatedly been a topic of discussion within US government circles since the 19th century. That is because of the island's strategic location and its resources. In the summer of 2019, US President Donald Trump made his first bid to purchase Greenland from the Kingdom of Denmark. Since then, he has declared ownership and control of Greenland to be an "absolute necessity" for US national security. For their part, the Danish intelligence services have responded by identifying the United States - for the first time ever - as a potential threat to the security of the Kingdom since Washington is no longer ruling out the use of military force even against allies. But is Trump really concerned about security or simply acquiring what he sees as the world's largest possible real-estate asset? How should his bid for Greenland be assessed? And what are the implications and policy options for Europe?

Keywords: Greenland; Kingdom of Denmark; "Golden Dome"; US government; Donald Trump; NATO; Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen; Russia's war against Ukraine (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:zbw:swpcom:338242

DOI: 10.18449/2026C08

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