A chance to retreat: On Donald Trump, the Greenland agreement

President Donald Trump first raised the possibility of acquiring Greenland, a Danish territory, during his first term in office. After his return to the White House in January 2025, he doubled down on his threat, saying that he would make the island American territory one way or the other. This incensed Denmark, a founding member of NATO, as well as America’s other allies in Europe. Denmark reasserted its sovereignty over the island but, as a compromise, promised to let the U.S. expand its military presence. On September 22, the leaders of the U.S., Denmark and Greenland signed a new security deal , which, according to Mr. Trump, would allow the U.S. to do “what is necessary in Greenland”. For Mr. Trump, who had even raised the possibility of using force to take over the territory, the deal is a retreat from his acquisition demand.