Why Greenland is the Arctic’s hottest property—And the US won’t let it go

Greenland in 2019, the world dismissed it as another outlandish remark. But as his administration returned to power in 2025, the joke had turned into a serious policy objective. Greenland is no longer just a remote Arctic island – it is a strategic, economic, and military prize that Washington is determined to secure.

The Arctic Battleground

For much of the post-Cold War era, the Arctic was seen as a zone of peaceful cooperation. But rising global tensions, climate change, and a renewed scramble for natural resources have transformed it into a new front of geopolitical competition.

“The Arctic Century is upon us, and Greenland is set to play a central role,” said Dwayne Menezes, managing director of the Polar Research and Policy Initiative. “Greenland, located at the crossroads of North America, Europe, and Asia, is rising in strategic importance, and every major power wants a stake in it.”

A Long History of American Interest

The US has coveted Greenland for over a century. In 1867, shortly after purchasing Alaska from Russia, Washington explored buying Greenland but failed to strike a deal. In 1946, President Harry Truman offered Denmark $100 million (equivalent to $1.2 billion today) for the territory, but the offer was rejected.

During World War II, the US occupied Greenland to prevent Nazi Germany from taking control. Since then, the US has maintained a military presence on the island, most notably at Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base), which plays a crucial role in missile defence and space