What happens if Trump takes Greenland? ‘The end of global order as we know it’
Donald Trump wants Greenland to become part of America, but why? Is it simply because of the economic potential it offers America, or is there something more personal about acquiring the massive, mineral-rich landmass during his presidency?
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In brief…
- Donald Trump wants Greenland to become part of America, with Vice President JD Vance having recently claimed the country needs “protecting” – but without explaining from whom.
- The News Agents believe his Greenland intentions are part of Trump wanting to secure his own legacy, and claiming an enormous country as part of America must seem irresistible to a real estate businessman.
- But Trump has previously hinted that he would be willing to use military action to take the country, and this could have devastating results on his legacy, America, and the entire world order.
What’s the story?
Donald Trump has made no secret of intentions on Greenland.
He wants it to be part of America, almost as much as he wants Canada to become the 51st state, and President Zelensky to wear a suit and tie to The White House.
Trump has described Greenland leaving Denmark and becoming part of the US as an "absolute necessity" for America, claiming it's needed for national security – although gave no further details.
Recently, Vice President JD Vance paid an unsolicited visit to Greenland – claiming the country was "under threat".
At the time, The News Agents said the only threat the country was facing came from the USA, and compared Vance's actions to those of a protection racket.
During his visit, Vance criticised Denmark, claiming it had "underinvested" in Greenland, and said it is the policy of the United States that this "will change".
But what's the appeal of Greenland – and what happens if Trump decides to take it?
Why does Trump really want Greenland?
Trump and his administration have claimed Greenland is facing an unspecified threat, and that it needs the US to intervene to protect its citizens from this unknown force.
But it's unlikely that American intentions are simply to protect and improve lives for the 56,000 – largely Inuit – people who live there.
Greenland's location makes for a prime shipping spot for exports across the Atlantic, not to mention the vast untapped resources under its ground, which have not been mined due to environmental concerns – which is not something that will trouble Trump.
But, The News Agents say, there's likely also a more singular reason behind Trump's keen interest in acquiring Greenland.
"I do think Trump genuinely has an eye on his legacy," says Lewis Goodall.
"And from everything that we've seen and heard from Trump and some of those around Trump, he is deeply motivated by 19th century impulses of American Greatness.
"He's motivated and interested in a 19th century type of Americana and American thinking, which is about greatness through expansion, and there are people around him who are talking quite openly about the idea that America needs to be larger."
And the acquisition of a two-million mile, mostly unspoiled, landmass in spitting distance of the US is surely too much of a temptation for Trump.
"What could be more appealing to the ultimate real estate developer than part of his legacy being the biggest territorial acquisition since the Alaska purchase?" Lewis adds.
"I think Trump looks at the map with that brilliant – but also deeply simplistic – view about everything.
"He just looks at the map, he looks at Greenland, and asks: 'Why is that Danish? Where is Denmark? It's nowhere near. it should be ours.' That is clearly part of what is motivating him right now."
What's The News Agents' take?
Jon has one thing clear in his mind – he does not believe Donald Trump will organise a "task force" to invade Greenland and take over.
But he also believes the rest of the EU may not share his certainty.
"It is the absolute nightmare scenario for Denmark, which is going through so many circles of hell right now as it tries to make sense of what Donald Trump wants and what he's after, and what this really is all about," he says.
"I think it would pose a similar nightmare for NATO."
Lewis says if America did try to take Greenland by force, it would be the end of NATO as we know it – and that would be just the beginning.
"It would be the end of the Western alliance. It would be the end of American leadership of the West, it would be the end of America as we've known it, and the global order as we've known it," Lewis says.
He says the idea of a US invasion is "ridiculous", but would rule out nothing when it comes to President Trump.
Jon adds that Trump's approach to the global tariffs imposed this week demonstrates his approach to a second presidency, and why nothing can be taken for granted this time around.
"He is betting the house – and his whole presidency – on this move on tariffs," Jon says.
"If the tariffs fall apart and he has to retreat, which I think is distinctly possible, and it looks like a total economic failure, I think that shares in Donald Trump will plummet faster than the Dow Jones is plummeting right now.
"Then Donald Trump is a lame duck president and won't be able to do much at all, because I think he will have squandered all his authority on this massive, massive gamble on what he's doing with global tariffs."
Greenland, like tariffs – Jon adds – is just another example of how Trump is willing to "gamble everything" to stake his claim on the world and secure his legacy.