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Trump wants Greenland. If it were for sale, it could cost trillions
CNBC· 2026-01-08 17:38
Core Viewpoint - The U.S. administration is actively considering options to acquire Greenland, with discussions ongoing among President Trump and his national security team, despite Denmark's firm stance that the territory is not for sale [2][4][3]. Group 1: Acquisition Interest - President Trump has expressed a desire for the U.S. to take over Greenland, citing national security concerns and the presence of Russian and Chinese ships in the region [11]. - The White House has confirmed that the acquisition of Greenland is being discussed, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio planning talks with Danish officials [4][3]. Group 2: Valuation Estimates - Historical context shows that the U.S. previously offered $100 million for Greenland in 1946, which would be approximately $1.7 billion today, but current estimates suggest a much higher valuation [6]. - Analysts estimate Greenland's value could be in the hundreds of billions, with some suggesting figures in the trillions based on its natural resources and strategic location [5][7]. - A study indicates that Greenland's known critical mineral and energy resources are valued at over $4.4 trillion, though this figure drops to $2.7 trillion when excluding oil and natural gas [8]. Group 3: Resource Conversion Rates - Greenland's low population and harsh conditions result in a low resource-to-reserve conversion rate, with only 4.2% of known rare earth reserves being accessible [9][10]. - Applying this conversion rate, the estimated value of Greenland could be as low as $186 billion, which is considered a conservative estimate [10]. Group 4: Strategic Importance - The U.S. military already has a base in Greenland, and securing the island could enhance U.S. presence in the Arctic and access to emerging shipping lanes due to climate change [11][12]. - AAF's study suggests that if Greenland were valued similarly to Iceland, its total value could reach nearly $2.8 trillion [13]. Group 5: Comparative Valuations - Previous analyses have varied widely, with estimates ranging from $1.1 trillion in 2019 to as low as $12.5 billion to $77 billion based on historical acquisitions [14][15].