Only Fools Would Turn Down Trump’s Offer of Green For Greenland. The Euros are Fools.
In what is becoming a winter ritual, Trump renewed his demands–and that’s what they are–that Denmark cede Greenland to the US. Or else.
This has set off hysteria among the hysterics that rule the EU.
In fact, it’s existential! Especially in light of Maduro’s participation in Delta (Force’s) infrequent flyer program.
The fact that Trump is back to making demands means that negotiations have gone nowhere. This is insane, given that Trump’s willingness to pay should massively exceed Denmark’s reservation price–if Denmark was acting rationally, rather than emotionally.
This whole panic attack is particularly bizarre when viewed against the broader picture of US-European relations. The Europeans are also freaking out over Trump’s shifting the burden of defending Europe against Russia. But Trump’s purpose in obtaining Greenland is directed expressly against Russia (and China too). That is, a US acquisition of Greenland would strengthen European security vis a vis Russia.
That alone should make Europe grateful–and more than willing to accept Trump’s offer.
It is particularly ironic that Denmark claims that Trump seizing Denmark would destroy Nato. Denmark’s refusal to sell weakens Nato. A sale would strengthen it.
So just who is being the bad ally here?
Furthermore, Greenland is a large financial burden for Denmark, and it is getting worse.
A smart government would jump at the chance to offload such a burden.
Even ideology favors a sale. After all, the Euros are all angst-y about the sins of their colonial past. Greenland is actually one of the last remaining relics of that past. A sale would take that off their consciences.
But despite all of these factors that should lead the Danes (and Euros) to shout “SOLD!” like a old-time pit trader during a frenzied close, they wail and gnash their teeth over the existential threat that losing Greenland to an ally would create.
So what explains their self-destructive behavior? The most obvious explanation is a deadly sin–pride. And the pride of of bedraggled, enervated continent that once dominated the earth, but is now (by its own admission) utterly dependent on the Americans for its security. The Americans, of all people!
You know it eats at them. Daily. A particularly egregious example:
Yet these ungrateful bastards expect the US to defend them, while simultaneously refusing to make a simple deal that would enhance their defense.
Foolish pride is the only explanation.
But that does present a business opportunity for an economically moribund continent. They can start a new website–OnlyFools. The audience would be huge.
It’s an expensive business, having an Empire, even if it’s largely just a block of ice. The Danes would be well shot of it. Or, how about a colony-swap? The US could return the Virgin Islands to Denmark, as part of the price of getting Greenland. The Danes could use the price to fund expulsion of their unwanted guests. “Here’s a thousand Euros, now piss off to the Virgin Islands” might work.
I’m pretty confident that “Here’s a thousand Euros, now piss off to somewhere that’s already Moslem” wouldn’t. Odd that. Whyever not?
Trump’s successors will probably rediscover the fact that It’s an expensive business, having an Empire, unless they find a way of not paying for Venezuela, Cuba, …
But then it may not be all that long before the USA itself looks like a ramshackle empire. That would seem to be the ambition of the Dem party.
Comment by dearieme — January 6, 2026 @ 10:11 am
Serious question – what’s it worth to the US? Must be Trillions of Dollars, no?
I wasn’t aware Trump had made an offer. From the sounds of it he wants it as a gift.
PS Of course you’re missing the critical point as to why Denmark doesn’t want America to have it. Call it a difference of outlook and priorities.
Comment by David Mercer — January 6, 2026 @ 11:51 am
Missed this:
a simple deal
LMAO. Another 24 carat out-take for the collection!
Comment by David Mercer — January 6, 2026 @ 11:54 am
The Danes, who experienced the highest per capital death rates among coalition forces in the Afghanistan wars, are ‘ungrateful bastards’. Nice one.
Comment by [email protected] — January 6, 2026 @ 3:13 pm
2 precedents. Louisiana and Alaska. It took while together a return on the investment but no one is complaining now.
Next up Alberta? Some willing inhabitants there.
China buys NE Siberia? Already majority Chinese so would make sense.
Comment by philip — January 6, 2026 @ 4:04 pm
Wait, is this the same Trump who was threatening to pull out of NATO a few short years back? How exactly does that tally with his now stated desire to acquire Greenland to bolster its defence?
Assuming he has had a change of heart and that the US is now committed to NATO and genuinely concerned for its security, the US has, through its membership, all necessary mechanisms in place to ensure the territory’s security. Nothing more is needed – just jog on like a good ally.
Of course, this – like the half-assed Maduro ‘coup’ – is all about natural resources. It’s no surprise Craig, our resident commodities pet, has set aside his analytical faculties and is positively creaming his pants over this.
Also, barfing out the US’s sacrifice* in WW2 as justification is beyond unhinged. If you want reparations go knock on Germany’s door, not one of the allies who fought alongside you.
*On this metric, Russia would be first in line, distantly followed by the UK.
Comment by David Mercer — January 6, 2026 @ 4:24 pm
I refuse to believe there isn’t a ‘win-win’ deal somewhere in here. This really shouldn’t be difficult.
Comment by Ex-Global Super-Regulator on Lunch Break — January 7, 2026 @ 1:09 am
‘According to two people familiar with private high-level discussions and granted anonymity to share their details, the White House has shown little interest in an overture last year from Denmark’s prime minister offering the U.S. the option to increase its military presence in Greenland, where it already operates a base and has long deployed troops at liberty.
‘“The option of more U.S. military presence has been on the table,” said one of the people, a European defense official. “The White House is not interested.”
‘The second person, an American in frequent contact with the administration and European officials, said that most of what Trump says he wants out of Greenland — access to investment resources like critical minerals, more troops and military bases, better intelligence sharing — could be easily accomplished by negotiating directly with Denmark, a steadfast ally.’
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/trump-says-greenland-fixation-national-105500996.html
Comment by Ex-Global Super-Regulator on Lunch Break — January 7, 2026 @ 1:23 am
So what do these quotes tell you, ex GSROLB? Also knowing that the US voluntarily reduced their forces deployed in Greenland from many thousands to just over 200?
Comment by [email protected] — January 7, 2026 @ 9:26 pm
@Libte@rs I’m reminded of Jules’ speech at the end of Pulp Fiction:
‘The truth is you’re the weak. And I’m the tyranny of evil men. But I’m tryin, Ringo. I’m tryin’ real hard to be the shepherd.’
For eighty years the US has done a great job of being an overwhelmingly powerful force endeavouring to act as a shepherd. And after that time, they don’t see anyone thanking them for it – quite the opposite. So it’s becoming harder for them to be the shepherd. They may not be trying so hard anymore.
Comment by Ex-Global Super-Regulator on Lunch Break — January 8, 2026 @ 12:20 am
How many troops does Trump plan to base on the territory? From what I’ve read Thule/Pituffik is seen as a punishment posting, one to be avoided at all costs. And just as you were beginning to sort your recruitment problems.
Also I’m reading Trump is reconsidering a monetary offer to the Greenlanders, apparently in response to the pressure coming from the Europeans and from within the GOP over his insistence not to rule out military action (what a downer for him, finding out there are limits to his action after all. And he was doing so well).
The price should go up a couple of $Billion per individual, due to this insult. Still worth it, given the future of America depends upon it.
PS And the whole Venezeula thing is going well too. The oil execs aren’t buying his BS:
“No one wants to go in there when a random f***ing tweet can change the entire foreign policy of the country,” one executive told th FT.
@Philip: Except that the sellers in these instance were willing. Not much of a precedent then.
Comment by David Mercer — January 9, 2026 @ 5:21 am