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?
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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 .
Oh look it’s the typical brain dead libtard.
Keep voting for the party of ped0s and homosexuals. Keep voting for the party of open borders and low iq third worlders.
You vote against your own interests and we see that now in LA with the failed policies of the left. Hope your house doesn’t burn down.
“Party of homosexuals?” “Libtards?” Bro, you need some new material. Your 1990s “insults” are hardly the flex you think they are. *YAWN* So boring and lazy.
I agree with you.. the libs dems in sanctuary cities and states cannot help themselves–They can only vote for those with a D in front of their name…
Agree, Michael – our first convicted felon president, really impressive as a country – Nixon would be proud (“when the President does it, it’s not a crime”). Watch the clown circus proceed starting tomorrow, as totally loyal, yet very incompetent, administration selectees are “reviewed” by the Senate hearings.
Some of the selectees are truly ridiculous . The “Hegsnook” and “Patelly” nominations are particularly ludicrous .
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 ?
Quoting Wikipedia is highly unprofessional. Wikipedia is subject to manipulation by a small number of people in cahoots. It can be highly biased particularly if an anonymous administrator is biased. The administrator could be a teen that was voted for by his or her classmates.
The situation in Greenland is far more complex than presented. The controversy is likely to fan independence sentiment. That would be against Denmark and towards the locals. The fact that the US is talking with the Danish is thought by many locals as highly offensive.
Even more offensive to the world is the article’s comparison to Hong Kong. That is a story of betrayal against democracy and a yes to authoritarian rule by the People’s Republic of China.
There are actually 5 scenarios that are the most possible. They are:
1. Trump loses interest and the status quo remains.
2. Trump loses interest and there is a greater push for Greenland independence. This is the most likely.
3. Greenland becomes independent and signs a treaty with the United States much like the Compact of Free Association (CFA) that Palau, Marshall Islands, and Micronesia have signed. As a result of the CFA, citizens of Palau and the other two can live in the US without a green card or visa. Palau and the others have a US zip code and the postage rate is the same as in the U.S. so letters are charged the domestic first class rate. The currency is the US dollar. Greenland might also try to have a similar CFA treaty with Denmark.
4. Greenland is purchased by the US. Unlikely unless the price is really high, $2 million per person or $112 billion.
5. Greenland is invaded by the U.S. Unlikely because Trump doesn’t like to fight endless wars. It would also lead to the end of NATO.
@derek …excellent analysis . I think #1 is more probable . Denmark is an ally , after all .
I discount #2 , because it needs a patron .
If this happens, it’s going to be like Micronesia and Palau. Greenland with be a nominally independent republic, but the USA will handle 99% of its foreign affairs outside Greenland handling the UN and a key couple neighbors. The USA will maintain 100% responsibility for defense and get semi-exclusive or exclusive mineral rights. In exchange, Greenland is independent and not a Danish vassal, they get U.S. social security and medicare, the U.S. postal service, the right to live and work in the USA without a green card or having to go through immigration processes, and a substantially larger annual subsidy from the USA than what they presently receive from Denmark. It’s called a compact of free association.
Greenland will never allow Rap Noise nor mindless criminals . So , everything will continue as is .
Newfoundland and Labrador, a Canadian province, had a referendum in the late 1940’s. The original choices were to stay with the UK, join Canada, or join the US. Canada was afraid that the UK would win so it kicked America off the ballot. The pro-US vote mostly voted for Canada as a result. Canada manipulated the election.
If the price is not too high, Trump’s idea is good. Land is finite. Buy it now and it will be American forever, in all probability. Look at Alaska. The price was not too high. It’s now ours, no dispute.
Scenario F: China outbids U.S. for Greenland.
Do you think Trump might treat Greenlanders like we treat American Samoans? Where American Samoans are “U.S. Nationals” but are not considered “U.S. Citizens”? I could see some in Washington who will not want to give Greenlanders full US Citizenship.
Kyle, I’m sure you’ve never been to Greenland, nor have you ever met a Greenlandic person… But if you had, surely you’d understand the absurdity of this post. Also, Greenland isn’t part of the EU.
Yes Greenland isn’t part of the EU.
It is not like La Réunion, Mayotte, La Martinique or the Canaries Island for instance.
I believe too Tahiti is not part of the EU too for instance.
@Bob – From the 20ish sources here (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenland_and_the_European_Union) your assessment would seem to be incorrect.
“Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark (which also includes the territories of Denmark and Faroe Islands) is one of the EU members’ overseas countries and territories (OCT) associated to the European Union. Greenland receives funding from the EU for sustainable development and has signed agreements increasing cooperation with the EU.
The associated relationship with the EU also means that all citizens of the Realm of Denmark residing in Greenland (Greenlandic nationals) are EU citizens.[1] This allows Greenlanders to move and reside freely within the EU.”
If you actually read the article you posted , you would have seen that Greenland voted to leave the EU in 1982 and did it in 1985. Think of it kind of like Aer Lingus and Oneworld. They’re essentially owned by OW, they partner closely with OW, but they’re not part of the alliance 😉
The fact that this is an actual conversation is hilarious to me.
But the Canada stuff is even funnier.
“Hong Kongers were allowed to secure a British passport prior to the transition”. This is absolutely false. They were allowed British National Overseas passports, that did not even allow the right of abode in the UK. Britain abandoned the people of Hong Kong. Portugal did the right thing and gave full citizenship (and thus access to residence in the EU).
More hot air than usual from the writer. The Danish Government have been very clear that Greenland is not for sale and why on earth would a country ruled with integrity and decency want to sell territory to a junta run by a convicted criminal?
@James Harper – Oh how we’ve missed you. That maybe the case, but why not explore what could happen if his offer results in action?
Maybe the most ridiculous post I’ve read here.
Now a serious comment is missing on the US/Canada merger or the name change of the Gulf of Mexico.
Trump is an idiot, but maybe those who take him seriously are worse…
@Ricardo – As linked in the post, which you no doubt read, both the leaders of Denmark and Greenland seem to be taking it seriously. I also state pretty clearly that it’s unlikely for a number of reasons, but the title was pretty clear – if you’re not interested no one is forcing you to read it much less to comment.
Greenland and Denmark have made clear that they do not want Greenland to become part of the US.
There are several reasons why, but they could include…
> Concern over certain laws (e.g. guns), especially with the current federal judiciary.
> Being treated as second-class citizens (e.g. Puerto Rico, Guam) or even third-class non-citizen nationals (American Samoa).
If Trump refuses to accept that no means no and tries to invade a NATO country (which is a terrible, insane idea for many reasons), Congress would have to approve the war and I’d assume there would be a lot of pushback.
ALSO, why can’t politicians just focus on making life better in the US? There are so many domestic problems that Congress and the White House should be worrying about instead of getting nosy in foreign countries.
Trump’s supporters who voted for him because he supposedly opposed war have fallen victim to a scam.
If I understand correctly, Truman made a bid for Greenland but was rebuffed. Back then, I assume it was imagined as a buffer with the Russians. Today, more like mining for resources. No telling the oil, gas, minerals, etc. on the island. Truthfully, leave it as is!! Handle it as a national park with limited development whether it be Denmark or USA.
I say this because I just finished a trip of Iceland in the off season. Yet, the place was swarming with tourist. Reykjavik felt like a cramped European mainland city. Afraid all these visitors are taking a toll on this island.