Greenland and Trump’s Strategy to Deal with China and Russia
Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s geopolitical interest in Greenland was not just about real estate—it was a strategic move aimed at countering China and Russia in the Arctic. During his presidency, Trump proposed purchasing Greenland from Denmark, a move that was widely dismissed but revealed deeper concerns about Arctic security and resource competition.
Greenland, a vast island rich in minerals and located strategically between North America and Europe, has become a key focal point in global geopolitics. The Arctic region, including Greenland, is experiencing increased attention from China and Russia. Moscow has been expanding its military presence in the Arctic, reviving Soviet-era bases and deploying new icebreakers to secure shipping routes and access to untapped resources. Meanwhile, China has declared itself a “near-Arctic state” and has invested in infrastructure projects, including mining operations and research stations, in an attempt to gain a foothold in the region.
Trump’s Greenland proposal, while unconventional, underscored U.S. concerns over Chinese influence and Russian military expansion. The U.S. military already maintains the Thule Air Base in Greenland, a key part of its missile defense system, and sought to strengthen its Arctic strategy under Trump’s leadership. In response to China’s growing interest, the U.S. pressured Denmark and Greenland to reject Chinese
