Among withdrawing from international treaties, cutting back on federal funding for private universities, tariffing allies, and posting highly controversial tweets, Trump has found himself a new agenda: Greenland.
While “national security” has been a vital part of Trump’s vocabulary in justifying his intentions, his interest in acquiring Greenland may have increased following his fruitless attempt to receive the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize–an award long overdue in his eyes.
Just recently, on January 19, 2026, Trump conveyed his disappointment at not receiving the award in a letter to the Norwegian Prime Minister: “Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America” (Trump blames Nobel snub for Greenland demand in text with Norwegian PM). Later, presented with a Nobel Peace prize from María Corina Machado– this year’s recipient–Trump kept the trophy, claiming: “I thought it was very nice. She said, ‘you know, you’ve ended eight wars, and nobody deserves this prize more than, in history, than you do,’” (Trump blames Nobel snub for Greenland demand in text with Norwegian PM).
Still distraught at the Norwegian government for not encouraging the Norwegian Nobel Committee–a private company–to bestow the honor upon him, Trump retaliated in the way he knows best: through tariffs and threats. On January 17, 2026, he threatened a 10% tariff—one that would rise to 25% come summer— on all goods sent to the U.S. from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the U.K., the Netherlands and Finland unless a deal was “reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland” (Trump blames Nobel snub for Greenland demand in text with Norwegian PM). Among issuing threats of tariffs, Trump has also been actively spreading AI art and tweets meant to rally public support. A recent example depicts Trump planting a US flag on Greenland soil, backed by two members of his administration.
However, according to Trump, the desire to acquire Greenland does not solely stem from a new disinterest in thinking “purely of Peace”. Backed by republicans like Senator Ted Cruz, Senator Eric Schmitt, Mike Johnson, and some G.O.P. lawmakers, among others, Trump claims the acquisition of territory will strengthen NATO, build up influence in the Arctic to counter that of Russia and China, and generally increase the security of the United States. But how will taking Greenland increase the security of the United States?
Apparently, the answer lies in a security project—The Golden Dome. The Golden Dome is a multilayered defense system that would “deploy next-generation technologies across the land, sea and space, including space-based sensors and interceptors” to intercept missiles launched from everywhere, including other sides of the world and space. ” (What is the “Golden Dome for America”? Here’s what to know about Trump’s missile defense plan). This plan specifically calls on the improvement and expansion of Pituffik Space Base–a U.S. Space Force and military base located in Greenland– and requires increased US control of Greenland. According to Trump, this plan can only increase NATO security if enacted by the United States itself.
But why is the annexation of Greenland vital to implement the Golden Dome? According to diplomats Blake Moore of Utah and Steny Hoyer of Maryland, it isn’t: “‘If we want to deploy more forces or build additional missile defense infrastructure in Greenland, Denmark has given us a green light to do so. Our ally has always accommodated us. Threatening to annex Greenland needlessly undermines that cooperation for no gain,” (Some Republicans Begin to Echo Trump’s Case to Acquire Greenland).
It seems that Trump’s goals to strengthen the United States could be reached without aggression. So why threaten all of his allies? Some blame Trump’s bellicose nature for his bold and controversial statements, which don’t always reflect his true intentions. Put nicely by republican politician Mike Johnson, “We take him seriously, not always literally” (Some Republicans Begin to Echo Trump’s Case to Acquire Greenland). However, if Trump is trying to come across as literal, he’ll have to turn to the legislative branch for military power. Theoretically, Congress could grant him the right to use force under the International Economic Powers Act – assuming Congress can see Trump’s gestures as crisis management of an “economic emergency”.
Serious or not, Trump’s threats are making his allies noticeably concerned. If European allies began demanding US territory and threatening tariffs if met with non-compliance, the United States government would be livid. Similarly, the pushback against Trump’s intentions is unanimous among his allies, and all are ready to resist.
And perhaps most important of all, Greenland itself doesn’t want to be under US control. Claiming they would rather stay under the control of their previous colonizer–Denmark–Greenland protesters have taken to wearing mocking hats at anti- Trump rallies–ones resembling M.A.G.A hats but adorned with “Get out America” inscriptions.
Whether Trump is truly successful or goes home empty-handed, his alliances hang by a thread. In the words of the Norwegian Prime
Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, “Threats have no place among allies” (Trump blames Nobel snub for Greenland demand in text with Norwegian PM). Ultimately, Trump needs to consider the success Greenland could bring against the backdrop of his allies’ wrath, or he could end up ally-less in a global arena full of menacing actors – each and every one vying for power.
