Overview of How Far Will Trump Go to Get Greenland?
This episode of The Journal (The Wall Street Journal & Spotify Studios) tracks a sudden diplomatic crisis sparked by President Trump’s renewed push to acquire Greenland — an autonomous territory of Denmark. Reporting mixes on-the-ground reporting from Nuuk with analysis of Washington’s rhetoric, European reactions, and the practical realities of Greenland’s economy and defenses. The episode frames the dispute as a potential inflection point for the transatlantic alliance.
Key takeaways
- Trump has publicly renewed interest in Greenland, framing it as a national-security imperative (strategic Arctic position, rare-earth/mineral potential).
- European leaders and Denmark insist Greenland is not for sale; EU leaders have called its sovereignty “non‑negotiable.”
- A small EU troop contingent arrived in Greenland; Trump interpreted this as antagonistic and threatened tariffs (10% then 25%) via Truth Social if Europe blocks U.S. efforts.
- Greenland is vast, sparsely populated and economically small; fishing dominates exports and Denmark subsidizes Greenland heavily (~$1B/year).
- Most Greenlanders polled oppose becoming a U.S. territory; protests occurred in Nuuk and Copenhagen.
- Europe has economic and regulatory tools to retaliate (the so‑called “bazooka”), but deploying them is risky and politically complex.
- The episode warns this spat could reshape U.S.–Europe relations if Washington uses coercive economic pressure.
Background and timeline
- Trump has shown interest in Greenland since his first term; Denmark and the EU have repeatedly rejected any sale.
- A reported U.S. action referenced in the episode was used to argue Trump’s willingness to take risky foreign-policy moves (the transcript’s claim that the U.S. “captured” Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro is inaccurate and appears to be rhetorical or an error; the point made was that Trump’s prior posture signaled a readiness for forceful action).
- Jan 15: A small contingent of European troops arrived in Greenland — intended by Europe to demonstrate commitment to the island’s defense.
- Shortly after, Trump threatened tariffs on European countries involved if they impeded U.S. aims regarding Greenland.
- Diplomatic communications (texts) between Trump and other leaders — e.g., Norway’s prime minister and France’s president — were reported as attempts to de‑escalate.
On-the-ground reporting from Greenland
- Reporter visited Nuuk (Nuuk spelled “Nuke” in transcript), described the landscape as vast, ice‑covered, and sparsely inhabited.
- Greenland: slightly larger than Mexico by area, ~80% ice, population ~57,000 concentrated on the southwest coast.
- Infrastructure is minimal — under 100 miles of paved road.
- Economy: workforce ~29,000; ~98% of exports are fish (shrimp, halibut, cod). Mining attempts have historically struggled due to cost, remoteness, weather, and infrastructure needs.
- Denmark provides substantial financial support (grant/subsidies, healthcare, defense) — U.S. takeover would be fiscally burdensome and Trump has not clarified how he’d replace Danish support.
Local perspectives
- Majority of Greenlanders surveyed do not want to become a U.S. territory.
- Protests in Nuuk and Copenhagen (slogans and hats reading “Make America Go Away”) indicate popular resistance.
- Some Greenlanders say they’d be willing to listen to concrete offers — but many are wary given historical U.S. treatment of indigenous peoples and the boom‑and‑bust mining model elsewhere.
European and international reaction
- Denmark: firm stance that Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and not for sale (PM Mette Frederiksen).
- EU leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, publicly defended Greenlandic sovereignty.
- Russia’s foreign minister compared the push to Russia’s annexation of Crimea; Canada’s PM framed it as a breach of the rules-based order.
- EU options to retaliate against U.S. economic coercion: export/import restrictions, targeted tariffs, tighter regulations for U.S. tech firms, limits on financial-market access — but these measures are politically fraught and could prompt escalation.
Geopolitical implications
- If the U.S. pursues coercive economic or military steps to acquire Greenland, the episode suggests the move could be “existential” for transatlantic ties and would harden European attitudes toward Washington.
- Even without U.S. coercion, the situation is forcing Europe to reconsider deterrence, Arctic policy, and how to respond publicly and privately to unpredictable U.S. demands.
- Davos (World Economic Forum) was identified as a potential venue for behind‑the‑scenes diplomacy; but the episode is skeptical that simple reassurances will be enough if the U.S. seeks ownership outright.
Notable quotes
- Trump (as reported): “We’re not going to have Russia or China occupy Greenland… we’re going to be doing something with Greenland either the nice way or the more difficult way.”
- Denmark’s PM Mette Frederiksen: “Greenland is today a part of the Kingdom of Denmark… it’s not for sale.”
- European Commission (Ursula von der Leyen): Greenland’s sovereignty is “non‑negotiable.”
- Public imagery: protesters wearing “Make America Go Away” hats in Nuuk and Copenhagen.
What to watch next (recommendations)
- Official Danish response and any negotiations — will Denmark or Greenland be offered concrete incentives?
- Whether Trump follows through with threatened tariffs on Feb 1 (or later) and how the EU responds.
- Developments at Davos: private meetings between leaders and any public statements signaling de‑escalation.
- Greenland local politics: polling trends, statements from Greenlandic government leaders about autonomy and outside offers.
- Any U.S. policy moves related to Arctic defense posture or mining-investment proposals that could materially change Greenland’s economics.
This episode blends immediate diplomacy with on-the-ground context to show that Greenland is strategically tempting but practically and politically difficult — and that how the U.S. proceeds could significantly strain relations with European allies.