Commentary
President Donald Trump is serious about boxing China out of the Arctic. A month before assuming the U.S. presidency for the second time, Trump notched another geopolitical win in the Arctic competition space and set the tone for the next four years. On Dec. 29, 2024, Trump revived his 2019 proposal to purchase Greenland from Denmark, saying U.S. ownership of the largest island in the world “is an absolute necessity.” A week before the inauguration, Trump’s son Donald Trump Jr. traveled to Nuuk, Greenland, to discuss his father’s interest, leading to further speculation about the incoming president’s intent. In 2019, during Trump’s first term, few supported him by publicly describing Greenland’s strategic importance—reminding people that the United States twice attempted to purchase Greenland from Denmark. Others warned about China’s expanding presence and influence in Arctic affairs, highlighting Beijing’s desire to build airports in Greenland. Still, during Trump’s first term, most claimed that his interest in acquiring Greenland was “absurd.”