Why did Donald Trump want to buy Greenland? Who currently owns the territory and what’s its population?

DONALD Trump initially mentioned his controversial desire to buy Greenland during his first presidential term.

And the president-elect is at it again, even refusing to rule out taking the Nordic territory by force. Here we look at why Trump wants it and whether it is for sale.

Why does Donald Trump want to buy Greenland?

Donald Trump first told his aides to look into the possibility of buying Greenland back in 2019.

The US President wants to buy the Danish territory as it is in a crucial strategic location in case tensions with Russia rise — but has admitted it’s not a No. 1 priority.

In 2019, The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump repeatedly expressed a desire to buy the island, which lies between the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans.

At a dinner in the spring of 2018, the former property tycoon is reported to have mentioned buying Greenland.

“What do you guys think about that?” he asked the room, according to a source.

“Do you think it would work?”

Some of Trump’s administration supported the concept, while others dismissed it as “fleeting fascination”, according to the paper.

Following his landslide victory in the 2024 presidential election, the issue has come up again.

Upon being asked at a press conference in January 2025 about whether he could assure the world he would not use military or economic coercion as he tries to gain control of Greenland and the Panama Canal, Trump said: “No, I can’t assure you on either of those two.

“But I can say this, we need them for economic security.”

Greenland is rich in natural resources — it is abundant in oil, gas, gold, silver, copper and uranium.

The US has long seen Greenland as strategically important and established a radar base at Thule at the start of the Cold War.

Despite already having a military presence in the region, owning the territory would significantly strengthen its position in the Arctic.

Greenland has long been seen as strategically important because of its location in relation to the US and Russia

Where is Greenland and what is its capital?

Greenland is located to the northeast of Canada — however, despite its geographical closeness to the continent of North America it has politically and culturally been associated with European countries such as Denmark, Norway and Iceland.

Most of its inhabitants are Inuit whose ancestors migrated from Canada.

Its capital Nuuk, the territory’s largest city, has around 18,000 residents.

Greenland as a whole has a population of roughly 57,000 people.

Is Greenland for sale and who owns it?

Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark, which has repeatedly confirmed it is not for sale.

In 1946, the US proposed to pay Denmark $100million to buy Greenland after flirting with the idea of swapping land in Alaska for strategic parts of the Arctic island.

The autonomous Danish dependent territory has limited self-government and its own parliament.

While its government decides on domestic matters, foreign and security policy is handled by Copenhagen.

Denmark contributes two-thirds of Greenland’s budget revenue, the rest coming mainly from fishing.

Potential oil, gas and rare earth mineral reserves have also attracted prospecting firms.

However, Greenland’s 56,000 citizens would have to decide on any transfer, reports the Atlantic.

The report says: “…the decision is not even Denmark’s to make. Legally and morally, the island’s 56,000 residents — most of whom are ethnically Greenlandic Inuit—get to decide on any international union their state joins.”

What has Greenland said in response?

Greenland’s government said it is not for sale.

In 2019, they said: “We’re open for business, not for sale.”

Prime Minister Kim Kielsen said: “Greenland will not be sold.”

He also slammed President Trump’s hotel tweet saying: “It is not amusing. It is not a funny thing.”

Former Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen tweeted: “It must be an April Fool’s Day joke…but totally out of [season]!”

What has Denmark said in response?

Trump’s intention to buy Greenland was blasted by Danish politicians back in 2019.

Soren Espersen, of the Danish People’s Party, told national broadcaster DR: “If he is truly contemplating this, then this is final proof that he has gone mad.

“The thought of Denmark selling 50,000 citizens to the United States is completely ridiculous.”

Danish Conservative MP Rasmus Jarlov tweeted: “Out of all things that are not going to happen, this is the most unlikely. Forget it.”

And in January 2025, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned: “I don’t think it’s a good way forward to fight each other with financial means when we are close allies and partners.”

Trump cancelled his state visit to Denmark in 2019 after the Danish PM branded the president’s proposal to buy Greenland “absurd”.

Trump had been due to visit Denmark in early September after being invited by Queen Margrethe II.

But after Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen insisted “Greenland is not for sale”, Trump said he would be postponing their planned meeting.

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Potential oil, gas and rare earth mineral reserves have also attracted prospecting firms[/caption]

Trump tweeted: “Denmark is a very special country with incredible people.

“But based on Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s comments, that she would have no interest in discussing the purchase of Greenland, I will be postponing our meeting scheduled in two weeks for another time.

“The Prime Minister was able to save a great deal of expense and effort for both the United States and Denmark by being so direct.

“I thank her for that and look forward to rescheduling sometime in the future!”

But on January 7, 2025, Trump Jr landed in Greenland, sparking fresh rumours that his president-elect dad is serious about snapping up the icy island.

According to Greenland’s foreign affairs department, this was an unofficial visit set to last just a few hours, with no formal meetings planned.

When did the US buy Alaska?

The US bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2m in 1867 — in a deal that is now seen as an incredible bargain considering the territory’s wealth of oil and minerals.

Alaska was formally transferred on October 18, 1867, through a treaty ratified by the US Senate.

It was made a state by President Eisenhower in 1948.

Alaska is now home to Fort Greely — a US Army launch site for anti-ballistic missiles.

Can countries buy territories?

Yes, countries can buy territories.

In 1803, the US struck a land deal with France to buy 827,000 square miles of land called the Louisana Purchase. It massively expanded the US’ territory.

In 1819, the US bought Florida from Spain.

Parts of modern-day Texas and the South West were bought from Mexico in 1848 and 1857.

The US bought the Virgin Islands from Denmark in 1917.

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