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Trump Revives Greenland Purchase Plan with New Economic Strategy

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  Published in Business and Finance on Wednesday, January 7th 2026 at 9:00 GMT by The New York Times

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Trump's Greenland Gambit Returns: A 2026 Resurgence of a Controversial Idea

For those who thought it a fleeting, bizarre moment in the Trump presidency, the notion of the United States purchasing Greenland has resurfaced with startling force. A lengthy New York Times report details how Donald Trump, now deeply involved in the financial structuring of his post-presidential business empire, is actively pursuing a new deal to acquire the self-governing Danish territory – not through diplomatic channels, but via a complex series of private investments and, increasingly, a veiled threat of economic coercion. The article paints a picture of a strategy far more aggressive and potentially destabilizing than the initial 2019 proposal, and raises serious questions about international law, geopolitical stability, and the blurring lines between personal business and national interest.

The 2019 attempt, famously rebuffed by the Greenlandic government and met with widespread ridicule, involved a direct offer to Denmark to purchase the island. This time, however, Trump is employing a multi-pronged approach. He's reportedly assembling a consortium of investors – including sovereign wealth funds from the Gulf States, and crucially, entities tied directly to his own Trump Organization – to fund the purchase of key infrastructure and businesses in Greenland. This includes the island’s airports, ports, and even the dominant fishing industry. The strategy isn’t to buy Greenland outright immediately, but to slowly acquire control over its economic arteries, making a formal purchase offer later – one that would be considerably easier to accept given the shifted power dynamic.

The Times article highlights a pivotal element: Greenland’s increasing economic vulnerability. A downturn in the fishing industry, exacerbated by climate change and overfishing (linked to a report by the North Atlantic Fisheries Organization cited in the article), has left Greenland heavily reliant on Danish subsidies. Trump's team is exploiting this, leveraging promises of increased investment – investment contingent, naturally, on favorable terms and ultimately, the acceptance of a purchase offer.

Furthermore, the report details a pattern of Trump subtly pressuring Denmark through trade and security policies. While not explicitly articulated as a condition for the Greenland deal, the US has been increasingly vocal about Denmark’s defense spending (falling short of the NATO 2% target) and has hinted at re-evaluating strategic military cooperation in the Arctic. This creates a climate of uncertainty that Denmark, acutely aware of its small size and strategic importance, finds difficult to ignore.

The motivations behind Trump’s renewed interest are multi-faceted. The Times suggests resource extraction is a significant driver. Greenland is rich in rare earth minerals, critical for the production of electric vehicles, smartphones, and military equipment. Control over these resources would give the US a significant strategic advantage, especially as China currently dominates the rare earth mineral supply chain. The article points to a recent Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) report, which details previously underestimated deposits of rare earth elements, fueling speculation about the scale of potential exploitation.

However, the article strongly suggests the purchase is also driven by Trump’s ego and desire for legacy building. The idea of “Trump Land” in the Arctic – a vanity project that would cement his name in history – appears to be a powerful motivator. This is compounded by the potential for developing luxury tourism resorts and exclusive properties in the pristine Arctic landscape, aligning directly with the expansion of the Trump Organization’s hospitality holdings.

The implications are considerable. The article notes that Greenlandic leaders, while publicly maintaining their commitment to self-determination, are increasingly divided. A faction within the Inuit Ataqatigiit party, the dominant political force, is quietly exploring potential benefits of increased investment, even if it comes with strings attached. However, a vocal opposition, led by figures like Premier Mute Bourup Egede, fears the loss of Greenland’s cultural identity and autonomy.

International reaction is equally concerning. The article details growing unease in Canada and Russia, both of which share Arctic borders with Greenland. They view the increased US influence as a potential escalation of geopolitical tensions and a challenge to the existing Arctic Council framework. Experts cited in the piece warn that Trump’s actions could trigger an “Arctic arms race” as other nations seek to counter US dominance.

Perhaps most troubling is the lack of transparency surrounding the funding of Trump’s Greenland venture. The Times investigation uncovered a complex web of shell companies and offshore accounts, making it difficult to trace the ultimate sources of investment. This raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the possibility of foreign governments using Trump’s deal as a means of exerting influence over US policy.

The article concludes that while a full acquisition of Greenland is still far from certain, the current trajectory is deeply worrying. Trump’s calculated blend of economic pressure, private investment, and nationalist rhetoric is slowly but surely eroding Greenland’s independence and potentially destabilizing the Arctic region. The world is watching closely, bracing for a potentially dramatic escalation of a saga that seemed destined to remain a historical footnote.