President Donald Trump has indicated, as he did back in 2019, that acquiring Greenland would be of interest for his administration.

About Greenland: The semi-autonomous region of Denmark is also the largest island in the world. Its population of just 57,000 people is majority (90%) Inuit, with the remainder being mostly Danish or of European decent. Its capital of Nuuk boasts a third of its habitants (19,000 people).

Why Greenland?

Greenland, the world’s largest island, contains both a wealth of minerals and sits in a globally strategic location.

• Minerals: There is no shortage of estimates on the value of the various natural resources found on and around Greenland. The American Action Forum recently pegged the value of its resources at $200 billion, including oil and gas plus critical minerals and other valuable mined ores.
• Location: Greenland’s strategic location offers the US a key vantage point for monitoring and assessing its geopolitical rivals, including Russia. Its Thule Air Base in northwestern Greenland provides early warning radar. As a result of climate change, it’s believed more shipping will pass through the Arctic. Owning Greenland would grant access to Arctic shipping routes.

Despite the potential for mining and minerals, the vast majority of exports for the country is fish and fish-related products.

Times the US tried to acquire Greenland

This is part of a long history of United State trying to acquire the semi-autonomous nation. 

• 1867: US Secretary of State William H. Seward pushed the country to annex both Iceland and Greenland for its “unusual healthfulness” along with bountiful minerals, fish and game.
• World War II: Greenland became a strategic location for the US after Denmark fell to the Nazis. America established air bases and weather stations on the island under an agreement with Denmark’s government-in-exile.
• 1946: After the war, both Iceland and Greenland were identified as key strategic locations for the upcoming Cold War with the Soviets. The US offered Denmark $100 million ($1.6 billion today). Denmark declined.
• 2019: During his first administration, President Donald Trump tried to acquire Greenland for strategic reasons, though was quickly rebuffed by Denmark.