US President Donald Trump’s renewed interest in acquiring Greenland from Denmark fits into a long, little-known pattern in US history. From quiet discussions after the American Civil War to a US$100 million offer in the wake of World War II, American leaders have repeatedly seen Greenland as a strategic prize.
Here’s a look:
1867–1868: Early US interest after the Alaska purchase
After the US bought Alaska from Russia, officials under Secretary of State William Seward discussed acquiring Greenland as part of a broader push into the Arctic.
Seward noted the territory was rich in natural resources, including coal. But the idea never advanced to a formal offer, as Congress had little interest in pursuing another Arctic acquisition.
1910: Proposed land swap involving Greenland
Under US President William Howard Taft, American diplomats floated a complex land-exchange plan that would have transferred Greenland to the United States in return for concessions elsewhere. Denmark rejected the proposal, and it quickly collapsed.
1946: Formal post–World War II purchase offer
At the outset of the Cold War, US President Harry Truman's administration formally offered Denmark US$100 million in gold to buy Greenland, citing its strategic importance. During World War II, a US-built airfield on the island had served as a major refuelling point for military planes en route to Europe.
Denmark rejected Truman's offer, though the US retained military access. That presence continues today at the remote Pituffik Space Base, the US Department of Defence’s northernmost installation.
Trump discussing 'a range of options' to take Greenland - Watch on TVNZ+
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