Trump eyes Greenland: US could pay up to R1.15 trillion

Trump ramps up push for Greenland

President Donald Trump has escalated his controversial plan to bring Greenland under US control, citing its strategic value for missile defence against Russia and China. In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump mocked Denmark’s defences, quipping, “Two dogsleds won’t do it!” and suggested that Greenland could be vital for his Golden Dome missile defence system.

Reports from NBC indicate that the US could face a staggering price tag of $500–700 billion (R1.15 trillion) to acquire Greenland, according to scholars and former officials who have studied potential acquisition plans.

Buying or bargaining? The US options

Inside sources suggest that the US is weighing multiple paths: a formal purchase of the island, a compact of free association that increases American military presence in exchange for financial aid, or, though less likely a forceful takeover.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reportedly been tasked with drafting a formal proposal for Greenland’s acquisition, a move that has alarmed officials in both Copenhagen and Nuuk.

Denmark and Greenland have been unequivocal in their response. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt traveled to Washington to meet with Rubio and Vice President J.D. Vance, calling the discussions “constructive” but emphasizing that the sovereignty of Greenland is non-negotiable. A high-level working group between the US, Denmark, and Greenland has been formed to explore if any mutually agreeable solution exists.

Public opinion firmly against the idea

Greenlanders have consistently rejected the notion of joining the United States. A Berlingske poll last year showed that 85% opposed any transfer of sovereignty. Opposition is also strong among Americans: a recent Economist-YouGov poll found that more than two-thirds of US respondents are against acquiring Greenland.

Social media reactions reflect this sentiment. Critics call the plan “fantasy geopolitics,” while supporters of Trump frame it as a bold move to secure Arctic resources and US strategic interests.

The strategic gamble

Experts note that Greenland’s location is geopolitically critical, sitting between North America and Europe and commanding Arctic sea routes. The island also hosts valuable mineral deposits and a US-run military base at Thule Air Base, which already plays a key role in missile defence and early warning systems.

Despite the potential strategic benefits, the enormous financial cost and the near-universal opposition from both Greenlanders and Americans suggest that Trump’s ambitions face steep hurdles. For now, the US government is exploring diplomatic and financial avenues, but any attempt to move unilaterally could ignite a sovereignty crisis and strain relations with NATO allies.

{Source: IOL}

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