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President Trump’s renewed insistence that Greenland “must” be in American hands has ignited a diplomatic firestorm and set off a debate about means and ends that conservatives should care about deeply. Veteran business commentator Steve Forbes argued publicly that the United States should abandon talk of acquisition and instead pursue pragmatic economic and security arrangements, a view that has resonated with many who understand the limits of raw territorial ambition. The administration’s rhetoric, however, has already strained relations with allies and provoked sharp pushback from Copenhagen and Nuuk.
Any thinking patriot understands that forcible seizure of another people’s land is both immoral and strategically foolish; Greenland’s leaders and Denmark have made clear the island is not for sale and will not be handed over. Turning to threats or talk of ownership would alienate the very partners we need to counter Beijing and Moscow while trampling the principle of self-determination that conservatives claim to defend. The United States must be strong, but strength grounded in respect and partnership wins more than bluster.
That said, strategic reality is undeniable: Greenland sits astride the Arctic approaches and is of growing importance for missile defense, early-warning systems, and access to critical minerals—areas where Russian and Chinese moves cannot be ignored. We already have deep defense cooperation and facilities in Greenland under bilateral arrangements; the question is how to expand American access and influence without breaking international law or NATO solidarity. Thoughtful conservatives should demand a policy that secures American strategic needs without turning us into the caricature of an imperial power.
The smart, conservative path is exactly what Forbes urged: leverage our economic and military clout to negotiate ironclad basing rights, resource agreements, and permanent cooperation arrangements that protect our interests and respect Greenlandic sovereignty. Offer honest investment in infrastructure, jobs, and resource development so Greenlanders see the benefit of closer ties to the United States while preserving their right to self-rule. Insulting nationalists and wild talk of “ownership” will get us nothing; disciplined deal-making will secure homes, families, and strategic advantage.
Washington should also stop pretending alliances are optional. If the U.S. wants a stronger Arctic posture, the answer is to shore up NATO and bilateral pacts, increase joint exercises, and use intelligence-sharing and technology to outcompete authoritarian rivals—not to fracture bonds with our European partners. Strong conservatives should demand that the administration convert muscle into durable agreements: more American presence under Danish consent, clearer rules for protecting Arctic shipping lanes, and cooperative mineral development that gives Greenland real leverage and prosperity.
The choice is simple for patriots who put America first: defend our security, expand our influence, and protect the rule of law—without trampling the rights of others. Stop the headlines about owning people; start the hard work of crafting deals that lock in American access, benefit Greenlanders, and expose Russian and Chinese aggression as the naked self-interest it is. If the administration channels toughness into smart diplomacy and honest investment, hardworking Americans will have what they need and our allies will remain reliable partners in the long struggle to preserve freedom.
