Trump’s Strategy on Greenland: Is America Really Planning to Take Over?

New Delhi (Avadhesh Kumar): US President Donald Trump has long expressed his desire to acquire Greenland, a self‑ruling territory under Denmark. Now, he is issuing open warnings to Denmark and other European allies, signaling a bold shift in American foreign policy.

Since taking office on January 20, 2025, Trump’s statements, policies, and actions have consistently upended conventional expectations. Initially dismissed as rhetoric or exaggeration by analysts and media, his pronouncements are now being taken seriously, with the world closely watching whether his strategic steps are calculated or impulsive.

Targeting Greenland

Following the controversial abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife to the United States, speculation has intensified that Greenland may eventually fall under US influence. If Trump succeeds, America would gain strategic dominance over a resource‑rich Arctic region, making it difficult for China or Russia to assert control.

Weakening Iran

Trump has also significantly curtailed Iran’s influence. Should the regime of Ayatollah Khamenei be weakened or dismantled, Trump could be remembered in US history for achieving a long‑standing geopolitical objective dating back to the 1979 hostage crisis. Success in this region would mark a historic victory for his administration.

Shifting Policy Paradigms

Since World War II, global politics have been shaped by the balance between the US‑led Western bloc and the Soviet‑led Eastern bloc. After the collapse of the Soviet Union and Eastern European communist regimes, US presidents such as Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush faced the challenge of reorganizing American foreign policy and global influence. Most avoided sweeping structural changes, leaving persistent complexities in US domestic and international roles.

A Bold America

Trump’s approach, however, demonstrates unprecedented boldness. His actions have generated global uncertainty, fear, and disruption, highlighting the relative ineffectiveness of institutions such as the United Nations. He has shown that America alone possesses the power to fundamentally reshape the world order. Nations worldwide—from trade and strategic arrangements to internal security policies—must now adapt to new realities.

The NATO Factor

While the US has traditionally maintained close relations with NATO countries, a significant faction of European leaders have resisted American policies, relying on US military strength for deterrence. Trump has questioned NATO’s relevance post‑Soviet Union, yet he is not dismantling it; instead, he is ensuring that America leads it according to its strategic interests.

Prioritizing National Interest

Despite domestic and international opposition, Trump’s actions reflect a clear focus on enhancing US global influence and security. He is likely to be remembered as a leader who emphasized national interest over ideology, strengthened America’s economic and military position, and sought to center the global order around US priorities. His tenure challenges other nations to move beyond ideological biases and engage with the United States pragmatically.