2026 US-Denmark Tensions/End of NATO

[QV]

And the response to the purchase offer was a decisive ‘no’. That should end that on the spot.

Your response is simply an emotional response to Trump's involvement recently. Here are the past times US purchase of Greenland has come up in American circles:


1867: Following the purchase of Alaska, Secretary of State William H. Seward showed interest in buying Greenland, although no official offer was made at the time.

1910:The US ambassador to Denmark suggested a three-way deal involving a land swap involving the Philippines and the Danish West Indies (now US Virgin Islands) to acquire Greenland.

1946: Under President Harry Truman, the US secretly offered to buy Greenland for $100 million in cash and potentially trading a portion of Alaska, which Denmark rejected.

1955: The Joint Chiefs of Staff recommended that President Dwight D. Eisenhower explore acquiring the island again, though no formal offer was made.

2019/2020s: President Donald Trump formally expressed interest in purchasing the island, reigniting discussion and causing diplomatic tension after Denmark refused.


The US clearly views Greenland as very important in terms of strategic defence. I doubt this issue will ever just be totally dropped.

 

[Czech_pivo]

Your response is simply an emotional response to Trump's involvement recently. Here are the past times US purchase of Greenland has come up in American circles:


1867: Following the purchase of Alaska, Secretary of State William H. Seward showed interest in buying Greenland, although no official offer was made at the time.

1910:The US ambassador to Denmark suggested a three-way deal involving a land swap involving the Philippines and the Danish West Indies (now US Virgin Islands) to acquire Greenland.

1946: Under President Harry Truman, the US secretly offered to buy Greenland for $100 million in cash and potentially trading a portion of Alaska, which Denmark rejected.

1955: The Joint Chiefs of Staff recommended that President Dwight D. Eisenhower explore acquiring the island again, though no formal offer was made.

2019/2020s: President Donald Trump formally expressed interest in purchasing the island, reigniting discussion and causing diplomatic tension after Denmark refused.


The US clearly views Greenland as very important in terms of strategic defence. I doubt this issue will ever just be totally dropped.

Strategic defence or empire building expansion?

Explain how in 1867 or 1910 it would have been 'strategic defence'? In 1946, acquiring it in exchange for trading part of Alaska would have been 'strategic defence' how?

 

[Halifax Tar]

Strategic defence or empire building expansion?

Explain how in 1867 or 1910 it would have been 'strategic defence'? In 1946, acquiring it in exchange for trading part of Alaska would have been 'strategic defence' how?

Really you need to ask that of US Administrations in 1867 and 1910. But one can make a safe assumption that that landmass has had some sort of strategic value to the USA for more than a hundred years now.

 

[Czech_pivo]

Really you need to ask that of US Administrations in 1867 and 1910. But one can make a safe assumption that that landmass has had some sort of strategic value to the USA for more than a hundred years now.

Yes, its called Manifest Destiny.

 

[lenaitch]

With today's reach of surveillance and weapons, I am hard pressed to understand why the US would need Greenland, or any other off-continent territory, for its strategic defence. If it wants to stop being the 'world's policeman' and retrat to Fortress America, why does it need military bases all over the world?

I think the lack of resolve by many NATO countries in allowing the US to use their airspace over this Iran shindig is going to be a major factor in determining who with and how the US decides future defence agreements with.

NATO countries are part of a mutual defence alliance, not branch plants of the US military and foreign policy. Maybe if the US had involved them in the planning they might have received a better reception.

 

[brihard]

Your response is simply an emotional response to Trump's involvement recently. Here are the past times US purchase of Greenland has come up in American circles:


1867: Following the purchase of Alaska, Secretary of State William H. Seward showed interest in buying Greenland, although no official offer was made at the time.

1910:The US ambassador to Denmark suggested a three-way deal involving a land swap involving the Philippines and the Danish West Indies (now US Virgin Islands) to acquire Greenland.

1946: Under President Harry Truman, the US secretly offered to buy Greenland for $100 million in cash and potentially trading a portion of Alaska, which Denmark rejected.

1955: The Joint Chiefs of Staff recommended that President Dwight D. Eisenhower explore acquiring the island again, though no formal offer was made.

2019/2020s: President Donald Trump formally expressed interest in purchasing the island, reigniting discussion and causing diplomatic tension after Denmark refused.


The US clearly views Greenland as very important in terms of strategic defence. I doubt this issue will ever just be totally dropped.

There’s a difference between floating an idea every few years and respecting the decision, and pushing an issue over and over, pestering more and more to the pointed threats and belligerence.

Trump struggles to take ‘no’ for an answer and thinks he can just grab ‘em by the Pituffik.

Greenland and Denmark have both said “no”. Trump doesn’t have to like that answer, but he does have to abide by it.