President-elect Donald Trump has indicated he has interest in the US purchasing Greenland from Denmark, how would that change travel?
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Greenland? I’ll Take Two.
President-elect, Donald Trump, has made a number of bold foreign policy statements but perhaps none more likely and realistic than purchasing Greenland from Denmark (which does not make it necessarily likely nor realistic.) This is not the first time a country has purchased territory from another; it’s not the first time that the US has bought land from another country either, and it’s not even the first time this has been suggested… by Trump.
But first, a very quick history on Greenland based on what the fine editors at Wikipedia have said:
Greenland Background
The largest island in the world, Greenland straddles the Arctic and Atlantic ocean east of the Canadian archipelago. Much of the island is under dense ice and is unusable from a development perspective. It’s aesthetically breathtaking (my agency partnered with an influencer to showcase it along with Seabourn.) It’s also resource rich and located at the top of the world between Canada and Russia.
It’s largest city is Nuuk which just completed a renovation of its airport, ready for tourism. According to the 2024 census, the country is home to 56,699 residents, up 90 from the prior year. Greenland’s economy (GDP of $3.263bn which is akin to Liberty county in Texas, which includes a neighboring city to Houston, Cleveland, Texas. “Economically, Greenland is heavily reliant on aid from Denmark, amounting to near half of the territory’s total public revenue.” – Wikipedia
As a European overseas territory, Greenland and her residents enjoy the privileges and responsibilities incumbent with being a part of the EU.
Simple, Practical Matters
For the purposes of exploring how travel would be affected by Greenland joining the US in some capacity, let’s presume any transition is bloodless and a financial transaction rather than by military force. After all, Greenland’s leader stated his desire for independence but also that he’s “ready to talk” to Trump as is the Danish Prime Minister.
People, Citizenship
Greenlanders would transition to become citizens of the United States and would likely have an option to retain a Danish passport but that would be largely dependent on the Kingdom of Denmark. However, without being a state, representation in the congress would be limited to non-voting roles with no representation in the Senate (just as Washington DC, Guam, Puerto Rico, and other territories.)
Greenlanders would be able to freely move throughout the US both for visits and to move if they so chose. Swapping a Danish passport for a US passport would be a downgrade from the fourth most powerful passport in the world (access visa-free to 192 countries) to the ninth (access visa-free to 186 countries.) They would also lose the right to move to Europe Union member nations.
Similarly, US citizens could move to Greenland if they so chose.
Models
The 1997 handover of Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to China following its 156-year rule might be a favorable model for such a transition. Hong Kongers were allowed to secure a British passport prior to the transition and hold both Hong Kong SAR passports (Chinese but different from traditional PRC passports) and remain in place or migrate. Macau followed a similar path when it was transferred to China from Portugal two years later.
For those interested, there’s an amazing book about that transition, Dealing With The Dragon: A Year In The New Hong Kong.
Conjecture, Cynicism, And Optimism
Doubtful It Will Happen
Personally, with my zero years of governmental foreign policy expertise, I find it unlikely that Greenland will become part of the United States. For purely economical reasons, Denmark has no reason to sell the territory to the United States. Its ongoing financial support is not a significant burden for the Kingdom, and Denmark doesn’t need the money. Its national debt ($144bn USD) is approximately 40% higher than its annual GDP ($102bn USD) not a significant amount and nowhere near the value of the unrealized natural resources Greenland possesses.
Based on the significant area of land and the value of the minerals beneath it (no matter how hard they are to mine), the cost would be staggering even if the US had trillions in its sock drawer.
Greenland Growth Opportunities Under US Rule
Not only is Greenland one of the most desirable tourist destinations this year but it continues to grow as the expedition cruise segment increases. US mining companies and their employees would also stand to benefit.
“Greenland is rich in “rare earths,” a class of unique and uncommon hardrock resources used for advanced weaponry, electronics, energy and transportation technologies, including electric vehicles. It is home to the Kvanefjeld deposit, believed to be one of the richest rare earth deposits in the world. Kvanefjeld is also stuffed with uranium, crucial for anything and everything nuclear.” – Heatmap
It may be about keeping those minerals out of Chinese hands as much as it is about gaining them for a new nationalistic industrial revolution. What does this mean for travelers? More flights, more hotels, more options, more opportunities to visit. Airlines will fly where the money is, opting to sell the front cabins to those who will pay for premium cabins of key staffmembers and not really worried about selling the back of the plane. Those travelers will need some place to stay, cars to rent, and industry – whether it becomes a giant national park or a new mining capital for rare earth minerals, will require more cargo shipments by boat as well.
Expansion of US military bases (the island is already home to two) would also add to the local economy and increase the travel sector, options, and long term viability of the destination.
A Limited Airline Utility
Some carriers could utilize the polar route over Greenland to reach parts in Asia from Europe but those that do already have a partnership agreement with Denmark and thus Greenland. There’s one incredibly limited airline utility that could be helpful from Nuuk. Some Midwestern cities, West Coast, and Pacific Northwest could utilize operate a single-aisle jet trans-Atlantic operation from Nuuk like Iceland Air does from Reykjavik. But the routes only make sense where there was insufficient demand to justify a wide body aircraft and the flight path is a logical one that would cross Greenland naturally.
As I said, incredibly limited.
Conclusion
If President-elect Trump is serious about purchasing Greenland, Denmark chooses sell the territory, and Greenlanders support the peaceful transition – the largest list of “if”s I can remember typing – then it’s likely many more travel options to the island will become available. Investments in military installation, tourism, and mining will organically create more travel opportunities, and with elevated traffic comes further opportunities. While an interesting thought experiment, this writer significantly doubts the Greenland flag will be lowered any time soon.
What do you think?
If you’d like to see Lexie’s experience on Seabourn, the video is loaded below. My agency is a top tier partner for Seabourn expeditions and one of the top five in the world for luxury cruise expeditions. You can contact us at info@scottandthomas.com for exclusive rates.
Anything to distract the ignorant minions who fall for this fool’s BS as he and his band of grifters rob and steal whatever they can get their hands on. The pure stupidity of this fool’s followers cannot ever be underestimated. History will not reflect kindly on the pure and utter cowardice and complacency exhibited by those in power and who seek power during this fool’s reign.
As with all things that get anywhere close to that fool this will not end well.
Curious how you feel about the Crime Syndicate in the White House now?
@Michael … Last night a neighborhood rascal placed a Trump bumper sticker on your auto .
From the air it appears rather chilly , with little to recommend it .
I expect that Trump was merely kidding around .
US citizens free to move to Greenland, but…it’s going to be like Alaska but without the permanent fund dividend. It’s going to need money injection like all the US tropical territories.
Not similar to “tropical” … actually “frozen” .
Please. I thought the President was supposed to represent the desires of the American people. Greenland, Panama Canal, annexation of Canada – don’t recall any of that on the campaign trail.
I have Asian and European relatives and they are basically aghast that we yet again elected this buffoon. I know – many won’t care since hey, it’s “America First” and we don’t care what anyone thinks. But educated people do……
Understand comment that Asian and European are basically aghast … please share which countries in Asia and Europe ?