Trump's targets: Canada, Greenland, Mexico, and Panama

It was no surprise that Donald Trump's second term as president-elect of the United States would be filled with surprises and controversial decisions. The New York businessman, known for his bold and often disruptive actions on the global stage during his first term, has already set the stage for another whirlwind presidency. Even before his inauguration, Trump has made a series of proposals that are bound to spark debate for years to come. Among the most audacious are his suggestions that large nations such as Mexico and Canada could become the next states of the United States, the idea of seizing control of the Panama Canal, and the potential purchase of Greenland. While the notion of integrating Mexico and Canada into the U.S. might seem far-fetched, Trump's other proposals appear to venture even further into the realm of the improbable. In particular, his revived interest in Greenland raises serious questions. As 2024 draws to a close, Trump has once again brought attention to this long-standing ambition.

The first attack

In late December 2024, Donald Trump declared that the United States needed Greenland “for national security and freedom around the world.” He posted the slogan “We will make Greenland great again” on his social media accounts, sparking a swift response from Greenland’s leadership. Mute Egede, the Prime Minister of Greenland, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, immediately rejected Trump's remarks about the island's potential sale.

“Greenland is ours. We will not sell and have never been sold. We must not lose our long-standing fight for freedom.” 

This is not the first time such rhetoric has emerged surrounding Trump's interest in Greenland. During his first term, there were reports suggesting that he was considering purchasing the island, which Trump later confirmed in interviews. At the time, his proposal triggered a diplomatic rift between Washington and Copenhagen, with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen calling the idea "absurd." That episode was eventually dismissed as a diplomatic oddity. However, the latest proposal from Trump has reignited tensions. What was once a passing controversy has now evolved into a serious concern for Scandinavian nations, with calm in the region replaced by growing anxiety.

Denmark and Greenland take the challenge seriously

In response to Donald Trump's suggestion that the United States should take control of Greenland, the Danish government has ramped up its defense commitments to the island. Acknowledging past shortcomings in defense investment, Denmark has pledged additional funding to strengthen Greenland’s security. Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen confirmed that the government would allocate "double-digit billions" in kroner to support Greenland's defense, although he did not provide a specific figure. Local media estimates the amount to be between 12 and 15 billion kroner, or roughly $2 billion.

“With this funding, Denmark will be able to purchase two new ships and an equal number of long-range drones. We have not invested enough in the Arctic in recent years, and now we plan to significantly increase our presence,” Poulsen explained.

In addition to financial investments, Denmark plans to expand its military footprint in Greenland. This includes an increase in personnel at the Arctic Command in Nuuk, the island’s capital. Reports also suggest that Denmark will upgrade one of Greenland’s three main civilian airports to accommodate the F-35 fighter jets. Beyond financial and military measures, Denmark is also taking symbolic steps to assert its sovereignty over the region. The country recently decided to revise its state coat of arms, which had remained unchanged for 500 years. King Frederick X ordered the removal of the three crowns, which symbolized Denmark's past union with Norway and Sweden. The new coat of arms features a polar bear representing Greenland and a ram for the Faroe Islands, highlighting the separate identities within the Kingdom.

While these actions are unfolding, unexpected internal tensions are emerging. In Greenland, there have been growing calls for independence from Denmark. On January 2, Prime Minister Mute Egede addressed the nation, framing the current relationship between Denmark and Greenland as a form of colonialism. He declared it was time for the island to sever ties with Denmark and chart its own path. Egede revealed that Greenland’s government and parliament have been working on a draft constitution that could pave the way for full independence.

“It is time for our country to take the next step. Like other nations, we must remove the barriers to cooperation that we have long called the shackles of the colonial era and move forward. History and current circumstances show that our partnership with Denmark has not ensured equality, and continuing to rely on the Danish constitution will prevent us from creating a true, equal partnership,” Egede said in a statement issued in both Danish and Greenlandic.

Trump is not far behind in terms of seriousness

In response to the changes to Denmark's royal coat of arms, Donald Trump has escalated his rhetoric and actions, signaling that his interest in Greenland is becoming more serious. On January 6, he took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to announce that he would be sending his son, Donald Trump Jr., to Greenland. Trump also claimed that if the island became part of the United States, it would bring "tremendous benefits" to the local population. Following his father's statement, Trump Jr. visited Nuuk, Greenland's administrative center. The Danish Foreign Ministry acknowledged the visit but stated it would not comment further, as it was not an official state visit.

Despite firm rejections from both Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Mute Egede, Trump has continued to make bold statements. He has not ruled out using military action to assert U.S. control over Greenland. At a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, Trump spoke about his plans for both Panama and Greenland, declaring that he would not shy away from using economic or military pressure. Specifically regarding Greenland, he warned Denmark of economic retaliation, stating that he would impose "very high tariffs on Denmark" if the country resisted his territorial ambitions.

As Trump made these statements in Florida, his son, Donald Trump Jr., was in Greenland’s capital, Nuuk. Although Trump Jr. insisted he was only visiting as a tourist, reports indicate that he distributed hats emblazoned with his father’s campaign slogan, "Make Greenland Great Again."

An "ice-covered" island

Greenland, the world’s largest island, is a land of contrasts. While it spans an area of 2.1 million square kilometers—six times the size of Germany and five times the size of Uzbekistan—its population is strikingly small, numbering just 56,000. This population is concentrated primarily in the southwestern part of the island. Despite its vast size and rich natural resources, Greenland relies heavily on financial subsidies from Copenhagen, receiving around 500 million euros annually. Historically, Greenland has been under Danish control multiple times, with full annexation occurring in 1953. 

However, following a referendum in 1979, Greenland gained self-governing status within Denmark. In 2009, a new law further solidified Greenland’s autonomy, granting the island the right to declare independence, but only after a successful referendum. According to "Politico", Greenland’s Prime Minister has hinted that such a referendum could take place in April of this year, coinciding with the island's parliamentary elections.