The notion that history tends to repeat itself is particularly relevant to the examination of America’s historical interest in Greenland. The intrigue surrounding Greenland regained attention in 2019 when former President Donald Trump proposed purchasing the island, a proposal he revisited during his second term. However, this was not the first instance of the U.S. attempting to acquire Greenland; in fact, the United States has a long history of trying to assert influence over the world’s largest island, often motivated by considerations of national security, military strategy, and geopolitical interests.
A series of efforts and setbacks characterizes America’s engagement with Greenland, and at times, controversial decisions, reflecting broader Cold War tensions and nuclear strategy considerations. As we explore this complex history, it becomes evident that understanding past actions can provide valuable insights into future developments in U.S.-Greenland relations.
The story begins in 1867, shortly after the American Civil War had concluded. At that time, Secretary of State William H. Seward found himself at the center of a controversial deal to purchase Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. This transaction was met with skepticism from many, who mockingly referred to it as “Seward’s Folly.” The primary motivation behind the acquisition was to prevent Britain from seizing this vast territory. Riding the wave of this momentum and driven by a hint of geopolitical rivalry, Seward cast his eyes even further eastward towards Greenland.
To explore this new opportunity, surveyors were dispatched, and reports were compiled. There were even whispers of a $5.5 million offer to Denmark for the purchase of Greenland. However, in the aftermath of the financial backlash from the Alaska transaction, Congress was reluctant to entertain what many viewed as yet another foray into what seemed like a “frozen wasteland.” Ultimately, the deal did not materialize.
Fast forward to 1910. President William Taft also made a bid for Greenland, but this time with stronger strategic logic. Inspired by U.S. naval officer Alfred Thayer Mahan’s seminal work, “The Influence of Sea Power upon History,” American policymakers came to understand the critical importance of maritime strength and control of trade routes.
Greenland sat near one of the most vital maritime choke points in the world, the GIUK Gap (Greenland-Iceland-UK). This gap allowed passage between the Arctic and the Atlantic and was essential for controlling transatlantic military and trade movement. So Taft tried to swap some Pacific islands for Greenland. Denmark, once again, declined.
In 1940, the game changed. Germany invaded and occupied Denmark. Within hours, Denmark fell, leaving Greenland without governance. The U.S., acting fast, made a decisive move to prevent Nazi forces from establishing a base in Greenland. Though America had no real legal standing, Henrik Kauffmann, Denmark’s ambassador to the U.S., operating independently and without authorization, signed a defense agreement, effectively handing military rights in Greenland to the United States. He was later charged with treason in Denmark, though he was eventually celebrated as a national hero.
After World War II, the U.S. offered Denmark $100 million in gold for Greenland. Denmark refused again but signed the 1951 Defense of Greenland Agreement under NATO, allowing for a continued American military presence. This agreement granted the U.S. sweeping rights to build bases, station troops, and conduct operations on Greenlandic soil, all in the name of collective defense.
In 1951, in response to concerns about Soviet bombers potentially operating over the Arctic, the United States swiftly constructed Thule Air Base, now known as Pituffik Space Base, in northern Greenland. This undertaking, known as Operation Blue Jay, involved thousands of workers and was completed in 104 days, demonstrating both a significant logistical achievement and a display of military capabilities.
However, this initial move was just the precursor to more intensive developments. By 1957, following the Soviet Union’s launch of its first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and the successful deployment of Sputnik 1, U.S. defense officials expressed alarm regarding national security. At that time, American ICBMs were still in development, leading the government to adopt a temporary strategy known as Operation Chrome Dome. This plan involved keeping nuclear-armed bombers in continuous flight over North America, prepared to respond to any detected Soviet attack. Greenland was identified as a crucial location for early-warning systems in this strategy.
Today, Greenland’s strategic significance remains significant, reflecting its historical role during the Cold War and its ongoing relevance in contemporary geopolitical discourse. After decades of relative military inactivity in Greenland, contemporary tensions in the Arctic are reawakening long-standing interests.
Greenland is now on China’s radar. Since 2010, Chinese firms have sought to invest in infrastructure projects, explore for mineral rights, and establish influence on the island. This spooked U.S. policymakers, who feared a Chinese foothold in the Arctic and adjacent to critical NATO airspace. In response, both the Obama and Trump administrations began to reaffirm the U.S. presence and influence. Trump, more audaciously, openly proposed purchasing Greenland in 2019 and again during his second term. When Denmark declined, Trump retaliated with tariff threats and dragged NATO into the dispute.
Greenland, for its part, is not interested. The Prime Minister stated explicitly that if Greenland were to choose between the U.S. and Denmark, it would choose Denmark. Most Greenlanders agree: in a 2025 poll, 85% preferred to remain under Danish control.
Despite all twists and turns, the Defense of Greenland Agreement remains in effect. Amended in 2004 to reflect Greenland’s Home Rule status, the treaty continues to empower the U.S. military to operate on the island in deep cooperation with Denmark and under NATO oversight. Today, Pituffik Space Base stands as America’s only military installation in Greenland, critical for missile detection, defense, and Arctic surveillance.
If history teaches us anything, it’s that America’s interest in Greenland isn’t going anywhere. From 19th-century real estate dreams to Cold War paranoia and modern geopolitical chess with China, Greenland remains one of the most strategically vital, yet often overlooked, islands on the planet. Every time the stakes rise in the Atlantic or Arctic, Greenland finds itself in the spotlight. Frozen wasteland? Hardly. Greenland is, and always has been, the iceberg tip of global power struggles.