From Trump’s earlier push to acquire Greenland to the 2026 security agreement with Denmark and Greenland, Washington’s approach has shifted from territorial acquisition to strategic access - a shift that reflects a broader contest for control over the Arctic, supply chains and spheres of influence.

Since his first term as the American President, Trump has wanted to purchase Greenland due to its strategic location between North America and Europe. Denmark opposed President Trump’s idea of acquiring Greenland by saying the idea is “absurd” and that “Greenland is not for sale”. After returning to office in 2025, President Trump brought up his aim of controlling Greenland again, rationalising his statements by making it a matter of national security.

Since Trump was initially trying to purchase Greenland and make it a part of the US, he threatened Greenland’s sovereignty and consequently received a lot of pushbacks from the people. However, Trump has now found another, more ‘acceptable’ route to take control of Greenland. On 22nd September 2026, President Trump, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen signed a trilateral security agreement, widely known as the “Arctic security deal”, at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

The deal seeks to expand US strategic access within the existing political framework, which also indirectly threatens Denmark’s sovereignty, but has appeased the masses. The Danish PM has changed his tune and is now defending the deal with the US, stating, “the deal was good for the US, Greenland and Denmark”. In the past, he scoffed at Trump’s ambitions and called the deal absurd, but now apparently it is a “win-win-win” for Denmark.

What the Greenland Agreement Gives Washington

The Greenland agreement has allowed Washington to expand its military presence beyond the existing Pituffik space base. The agreement now allows Washington to establish new military facilities at Narsarsuaq in Southern Greenland and Mestersvig on the East coast. Narsarsuaq has historical importance for the US, as it was home to the former US Bluei West One military air base, operated during WWII and the Cold War. The Mestersvig is used as a patrol post by the Sirius Dog Sled Patrol, Denmark’s elite special forces unit that patrols remote Arctic wilderness.

This post will be beneficial to the US for Arctic surveillance. The US Geological Survey states that the Arctic may contain 22% of the world’s oil and also has valuable rare earth minerals. The Arctic also offers shipping routes, like the Northern Sea Route and the Northwest Passage. The resources and the routes are critical for the United States to maintain its hegemony in the world, given the situation the world is currently facing with respect to trade and shipping routes.

Washington was concerned that foreign powers may use Greenland as a back channel to threaten America. However, the Greenland agreement has provided a safety net to the US since it states that,

“No state that is not a member of NATO shall be allowed to establish its own manned or unmanned military installations in Greenland nor shall they be allowed a persistent presence of military forces in Greenland, unless otherwise agreed by the Parties”.

Monroe Doctrine or Trumpism?

President Trump’s policy, often known as the Monroe Doctrine and Trumpism by some analysts, is an aggressive policy based on an “America First” strategy. To have complete control over the Western Hemisphere, Washington has used various strategies, including:

Controlling the Supply Chains: As the trade war between China and the US intensifies, Washington’s primary goal is to make the US completely self-sufficient. Greenland has 10-15% of the Arctic territory, and the Arctic contains rare earth minerals, uranium, zinc, gold, and other critical minerals. These minerals are vital for robotics, electric vehicles, and making advanced smartphones. Having direct access to the Arctic via Greenland, the US will not be dependent on any other state in case of any economic blockade or a warlike situation.

Blocking External Powers: The Monroe Doctrine says that no foreign power can have a footprint in the Western Hemisphere. President Trump’s doctrine follows the exact principle but through aggression. Greenland is a choke point between America and the world’s islands. The US was concerned that foreign powers may use Greenland as a weapon against the US. Having Greenland on its side, Washington has created a safety net for the US.

Beyond Greenland, to make ‘America First’, President Trump had also threatened Canada by pressuring it through a tariff war. Moreover, the recent visit by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Latin America also indicates that Washington is trying to have complete control over the Western Hemisphere. This is further indicated by the fact that 14 states of South America are part of the “Shield of the Americas”. This highlights that Washington is gradually trying to hold every state of the American continent under its umbrella.

The Strategic Context Behind the Greenland Agreement

Due to the Iran conflict, the world has witnessed an economic crisis. The effect has also impacted the economy of the US. Fuel prices are rising day by day, and the conflict is still ongoing. Amidst this global crisis, the approval rating of President Trump has fallen to 32%, the lowest in his presidency. The midterm elections are approaching, and with Greenland as a source for acquiring critical minerals, President Trump is trying to increase his chances of being victorious in the elections. The Greenland agreement can be presented as a significant foreign policy achievement.

At the UNGA, President Trump stated that “the agreement will be beneficial for the security of Europe”. He argued that Iran has developed missiles capable of reaching Europe, and also showed concern over the European security architecture. On 8th July, during the NATO Ankara summit, President Trump said that the withdrawal of US troops from Europe would be dependent on developments in the Iran conflict and the Greenland issue. This was the “Trump card”, pressuring NATO members to cooperate with Washington.

Conclusion

Greenland agreement marks a shift in Washington’s foreign policy approach from territorial acquisition to strategic access. Greenland might prove to be a hidden ace for Washington since it hits several birds with one stone: an improved approval rating for Trump, access to the Arctic and its treasures, increased influence in NATO and the EU, a wider military net globally, and a safety net for trade and shipping routes.

However, Greenland should be wary of this ‘deal with the devil’ since increased US military presence on its soil means a target on Greenland’s back. Just like in the Middle East, where US allies were left alone to suffer in a war that they weren’t a part of just because of heavy US military presence, Greenland could potentially get caught up in the crossfire if the US starts another war in this region.

Aleena Im is an independent researcher and writer and is interested in international relations and current affairs. Courtesy

https://journal-neo.su/2026/09/27/no-purchase-necessary-trumps-strategic-takeover-of-greenland/