With his promise of the “nice way or the difficult way,” Donald Trump appears to be reviving an old American ambition with a harder edge. A US plan to buy Greenland for $100 million in the 20th century never came to fruition, but Trump’s renewed interest has given the idea fresh urgency and made it harder for Europe to dismiss as bluster.
The States has stated clearly that it would not shy away from going the aggressive way citing Venezuela and Iran as an example. "Look at Venezuela. He tried ardently to strike a good deal with Nicolás Maduro. And he told him, ‘I will use the United States military if you do not take such a deal and you will not like it.’ And look at what happened'. He tried to have serious interest in a deal with the Iranian regime with respect to their nuclear capabilities, and so Operation Midnight Hammer happened," US press secretary Karoline Leavitt said earlier this week.
Europe has recongnised Trump's "aggressive mode" and is working to respond together. "We must be ready for a direct confrontation with Trump. He is in an aggressive mode, and we need to be geared up," Politico reported quoting an EU diplomat.
But how does Europe plan to counter Trump?
Troops on the ground
France and Germany are working with other European allies to counter Trump's aggression on Greenland's territory. Though France and Italy believe that US might not go the hard way, that is, use military to seize Greenland, Europe is considering increasing Nato presence on the island.
"Regardless of the form of intimidation and its source, we have begun work at the Quai d'Orsay to prepare ourselves to respond and not to respond alone. Once this work has been completed in the coming days, [we'll] be able to share it. Whatever form intimidation takes, we want to take action with our European partners," Politico quoted French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot saying.
Moreover, Germany's foreign minister Johann Wadephul is working on a plan with his counterparts that could include European deterrence in the event the US would try to attack or seize Greenland, as well as increased Nato presence in Greenland's direct vicinity, the news outlet reported citing a German government official.
More money to Greenland
A Danish colony until 1953, Greenland gained home rule 26 years later and is now debating whether to eventually loosen its ties with Denmark. But the appetite for a rapid break is limited. Many Greenlanders remain cautious, and the coalition currently in power opposes hasty independence. Even Naleraq, the pro-independence opposition party, has signed a joint declaration signalling restraint.
Trump disrupted this careful balance in 2019 when he floated the idea of buying Greenland, calling it a “large real estate deal.” The proposal was swiftly rejected by Danish and Greenlandic leaders, who said the island was not for sale. Yet the episode highlighted real economic frustrations on the island.
“We have many, many people below the poverty line, and the infrastructure in Greenland is lagging, and our resources are primarily taken out without good profit to Greenland but mostly profit to Danish companies,” Politico quoted Kuno Fencker, a pro-independence opposition MP saying.
Brussels and Copenhagen are now leaning into that reality. An attractive financial package from Denmark and the EU could be enough to keep Greenlanders out of America’s grasp, and both are trying to prove they can offer a better deal. Under draft EU budget plans published in September, Brussels is preparing to almost double its spending on Greenland to €530 million over seven years starting in 2028, the news outlet reported.
The signal is clear: Europe may not sell Greenland, but it is willing to pay to secure its future.
Talk it out
Donald Trump's reasoning to acquired Greenland comes from a strategic space, as he has claimed that he can't let Russia or China occupy the island.
Greenland, which spans about 836,000 square miles, holds major geopolitical significance due to its location between the US and Europe and its position along the GIUK gap—the key maritime corridor linking Greenland, Iceland and the UK that connects the Arctic with the Atlantic. The island also contains substantial reserves of natural resources, including oil, gas and rare earth minerals, further increasing its strategic value.
"We're not going to have Russia or China occupy Greenland. That's what they're going to do if we don't. So we're going to be doing something with Greenland, either the nice way or the more difficult way," Trump had said.
The quickest way to defuse the situation may be a negotiated outcome that allows Trump to claim a political win, while enabling Denmark and Greenland to preserve their dignity and sovereignty.
Greenland's political parties have categorically rejected being "Americans" or under Washington's control.
"We don't want to be Americans, we don't want to be Danish, we want to be Greenlanders," the leaders of five parties in Greenland's parliament said in a joint statement, AFP reported. "The future of Greenland must be decided by Greenlanders."
US secretary of state Marco Rubio is set to have talks with Denmark officials next week.
Start a Conversation
Post comment