How much will it cost US if Trump plans to aquire Greenland? 

How much will it cost the US to buy Greenland? Trump weighs $700 billion price tag

• US plan to buy Greenland could cost up to $700 billion, experts warn
• Greenland and Denmark firmly oppose US acquisition, citing sovereignty concerns
• Bipartisan US lawmakers seek to block unilateral action over Greenland

Did our AI summary help?

The United States could face a price tag of up to $700 billion if it pursues President Donald Trump’s plan to acquire Greenland, according to sources familiar with internal cost estimates reported by NBC News.

The estimate was prepared by scholars and former officials as part of planning around Trump’s aim to secure the 800,000-square-mile island as a strategic Arctic buffer against rivals.

How much will Greenland cost? 

While the administration is considering purchase options, experts warn the cost could rise even higher, with Greenland’s mineral resources alone valued at $4.4 trillion and total acquisition estimates potentially reaching $2.8 trillion.

The last U.S. offer for Greenland, made by President Harry Truman in 1946, was $100 million in gold, equivalent to $1.7 billion today, which Denmark rejected.

Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, remains firmly opposed to any US acquisition. Officials from Denmark and Greenland have rejected Trump’s claims that the island will be obtained “one way or the other.”

A senior White House official confirmed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been directed to prepare a proposal to purchase Greenland, describing it as a “high priority” for Trump.

Rubio and Vice President JD Vance are scheduled to meet Danish and Greenlandic officials in Washington to discuss the U.S. position. Trump said Sunday, “I’d love to make a deal with them. It’s easier. But one way or the other, we’re going to have Greenland.”

Greenlandic officials have reiterated their opposition. Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt said, “Greenland does not want to be owned by, governed by or part of the United States. We choose the Greenland we know today, as part of the Kingdom of Denmark.” Minister for business and mineral resources Naaja Nathanielsen added that U.S. discussions are causing concern among residents, with many “having trouble sleeping,” and stressed, “We have no intentions of becoming American.”

Some US officials have considered military options, but others see a purchase or a security agreement, similar to a compact of free association, as more feasible. Under current agreements, the U.S. can already expand its military presence on the island. Historical arrangements have allowed US operations while respecting Denmark’s sovereignty.

Trump’s interest in Greenland is driven by national security concerns, with fears that an independent Greenland could allow rivals like Russia or China to control its strategic Arctic coastline. An independent poll last year found 85% of Greenlanders oppose joining the U.S.

Trump also stated, “If we don't go in, Russia and China are going to go in. It is not a thing that Denmark can do anything about, but we can do everything about it.”

Denmark and Greenland continue to affirm their ties to Denmark, NATO, and the European Union. Danish Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said, “If we have to choose between the United States and Denmark here and now, we choose Denmark. We choose NATO. We choose the Kingdom of Denmark. We choose the EU.”

Trump’s push, including the suggestion of military options, has raised concern in Europe and on Capitol Hill, where bipartisan legislation has been introduced to block any unilateral U.S. action over Greenland. Officials are now exploring ways to strengthen U.S. strategic influence on the island while respecting Greenland’s and Denmark’s sovereignty.