An Analysis of the Trump Administration’s “Greenland” Strategy from a Constructivist Perspective

Abstract

Historically, Greenland, an autonomous region of the Kingdom of Denmark, attracted little attention from other countries except for its significance in the North American defense during the Cold War. Since the Trump administration expressed interest in purchasing Greenland in 2019, the island has become more involved in the discussions about Arctic competition. Consequently, its importance has shifted from a geographical perspective to a strategic one. The United States' attitude towards Greenland focuses on preserving and expanding its influence in the Arctic area. By using the existing military bases and alliances, they hope to get supportive measures and put Greenland into the context of great power rivalries, treating it as an essential place for ensuring the security and strategic interests of the US. From a constructivist angle, this policy cannot be completely explained by military or natural resources. Through depicting great power competition, the US tries to re-establish itself as the main Arctic power; at the same time, by deploying military forces and participating in institutional activities, it pushes the Arctic system towards a more competitive form instead of a cooperative management. This shows the interaction between individuals and systems. Influenced by geopolitical disputes, the Greenland policy may reinforce the Lockean idea of anarchy in the Arctic and increase the uncertainty of the institutions. Therefore, China should think carefully about its participation in the Arctic governance, promote multilateralism and cooperation, keep its strategic balance and policy flexibility, and protect its own development interests.