Danish experts baffled: what more does Trump want?

U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed interest in purchasing Greenland has left Danish experts scratching their heads, with many questioning the logic behind his proposal. Trump claims that Greenland is critical to U.S. and global security, citing alleged Russian and Chinese activity near the island. However, experts speaking to Danish broadcaster TV 2 News argue that the U.S. already enjoys unparalleled access to Greenland, making the demand for ownership baffling.

Jon Rahbek-Clemmensen, an associate professor at the Centre for Arctic Security Studies at the Royal Danish Defence College, believes the U.S. is already in an advantageous position.

“The U.S. already has all the access it needs. The only thing they can’t do is stop Greenland from building relationships with other major powers in the future,” he said.

Rahbek-Clemmensen suggested that Trump’s focus on Greenland might stem from a desire to block potential Chinese or Russian influence in the Arctic, but he remains unconvinced by the argument.

“If Russia is the main argument, then it would make more sense for Donald Trump to demand ownership of, for example, the Faroe Islands or Iceland rather than Greenland,” he explained.

While Greenland could play a role in monitoring Russian submarines, Rahbek-Clemmensen believes it would be secondary to other locations.

“Much of this activity could just as easily be carried out from Iceland, Norway, the UK, or the Faroe Islands,” he added.

Frederik Harhoff, professor emeritus and former judge at the United Nations’ war crimes tribunal, highlighted the legal framework that already grants the U.S. extensive rights in Greenland.

“Since 1951, the U.S. has had the right to expand its defense facilities across Greenland, provided it consults with the Danish government and Greenland’s self-rule authorities,” Harhoff said.

The agreement, updated in 1991 and 2004, also gives the U.S. free access across land, sea, and air for defense purposes. Harhoff noted that the defense agreement ensures the U.S. already enjoys significant strategic advantages in Greenland.

“Why would they want to change that? They already have everything they need,” he said.

Rasmus Toft Jensen, an Arctic researcher at the University of Copenhagen, also dismissed Trump’s justification for purchasing Greenland. He argued that the U.S. benefits from its current arrangement without having to bear financial responsibilities.

“The Americans are in an ideal situation geopolitically—they get what they want without having to pay for Greenland, as Denmark does,” Jensen said.

Jensen added that U.S. companies already have the opportunity to invest in Greenland’s mineral resources, which undermines the need for ownership.

“The argument doesn’t hold water. They already have the freedom to act economically and militarily in Greenland,” he explained.

The experts collectively questioned Trump’s justification that Russian and Chinese activity near Greenland poses an immediate threat. While Russia has a large military presence in the Arctic, experts argue its activity is concentrated near its own northern coastline. Meanwhile, China has no military presence in the region and shows limited interest in Greenland.

Rahbek-Clemmensen warned that Trump’s push for ownership risks undermining the cooperative relationship the U.S. already enjoys with Denmark and Greenland.

“The U.S. needs to respect Greenland’s self-determination. These kinds of proposals are outdated and unhelpful in today’s global context,” he said.

With the U.S. already benefiting from a strong defense agreement and significant strategic access to Greenland, Danish experts remain baffled by Trump’s insistence.