Trump’s Art of the Greenland Deal

Trump’s obsession with Greenland reveals how ego, deal-making prowess and hard power geopolitics are reshaping US foreign policy, writes Dr Norm Sanders.

PRESIDENT OF THE USA Donald Trumpfrantic efforts to keep jeffrey epstein reached new heights on the front pages. He first became the self-crowned King of Venezuela. Now he wants to seize Greenland “to protect it from China and Russia.”

But what if the media deflection from Epstein was just a bonus, a sideshow to the main event?

Trump’s actions always seem unpredictable and random. But there is one thing that remains constant: his huge ego.

Like all aging dictators, Trump fears losing his fame and power when he dies. From the Pharaohs with their mummies and tombs to the White House ballroom, it has always been this way. A ballroom is beautiful, but a big ego needs an equally big place in history.

US Secretary of State William Seward In 1867 he paid the Russians US$7.2 million (AU$10.4 million) for Alaska. Trump’s ego is driving him into the history books as the man who bought (or captured) Greenland on behalf of the United States.

Viewed through this lens, Trump’s actions become understandable and predictable. He follows the tactics he laid out in his 1987 book: The Art of the Agreement.

The book was actually written by a journalist. Tony Schwartz and it reached number one New York Times bestseller list. (Schwartz in the name ghost writes his book “The biggest regret in life is undoubtedly”.) Trump’s book sparked interest during the “greed is good” era in America in the late 1980s.

The following are taken from various sources: New Statesman.

The Art of the Agreement Analysts provide important insight into Donald Trump’s approach to the situation in Greenland; analysts see parallels in his tactics of thinking big, building influence, harassing allies for advantage, focusing on personal gain, and using high-pressure tactics (aiming high, belittling others) rather than traditional diplomacy to force concessions. This shows that his established “deal-making” personality in geopolitics continues.

The book’s basic principles applied to Greenland

“Think big” and “Leverage”: Trump’s idea to buy Greenland, a huge territory, fits the concept of “think big” by leveraging its resources (rare earths, strategic location) and missile defense system potential (Golden Dome).

“Disturbing the Allies”: Trump’s approach often involves disrupting existing relationships (such as with Denmark and NATO) to impose new terms and prioritizing advantage over stability.

“Go Away/Bad deals”: The ability to appear willing to abandon agreements and even threaten military action creates pressure to force the other side to meet Trump’s demands.

“Never reveal your final result”: Keeping options open, even refusing to cede power, is a tactic to maintain influence and prevent rivals from knowing Trump’s true limits.

“Self Interest”: Trump’s stated reason Because we need Greenland, “Psychologically necessary for success”reflects a transactional, self-focused approach seen in the book.

How does this play out in the case of Greenland?

Transactional diplomacy: Seeing countries as business partners or obstacles, seeking direct agreements instead of multilateral agreements.

Using strategic assets: Recognizing Greenland’s mineral wealth and its strategic position in the Arctic as valuable assets.

High risk printing: Trump’s public statements and refusal to concede power reflect the aggressive negotiation tactics described in his book aimed at shocking and extracting concessions.

Analysts argue that, in essence, Trump’s actions regarding Greenland are a direct extension of the business principles outlined below. The Art of the AgreementEven as he challenges traditional alliances, he applies them to international relations to achieve what he perceives as national and personal gain.

The North American and Arctic Defense and Security Network puts it this way in its publication Quick Impact. Project 25 is mentioned.

Trump’s expansionist designs for Greenland appear to fit into a larger strategy articulated in the recent US National Security Strategy and the Heritage Foundation’s 2025 Project, which many experts recognize as the source of the Trump Administration’s worldview of using hard power (military and economic power) to establish an American sphere of influence in the Western Hemisphere where all interests serve US national security.

Soft power (the ability to influence others through persuasion based on attractive values), long-term alliances such as NATO, and international institutions designed to promote cooperation should be avoided in favor of the primacy of the state. This has led some commentators to explain Trump’s obsession with owning Greenland by using the realist school of international relations theory.

Although the Heritage Foundation’s ‘Project 2025’ text does not explicitly include a “capture of Greenland” plan, it is considered the primary source of the Trump Administration’s national security strategy influencing its interest in the island in 2026, according to experts and observers.

Donald Trump recently returned to the idea that the United States “needs”[s] Greenland from a national security perspective.”

“It’s vital to the Golden Dome we’re building,” the US President insists, “and if we don’t do this, Russia or China will take over Greenland and we won’t have neighbors with Russia or China.”

Although the United States currently neighbors Russia across the Bering Strait, Americans have also controlled the Pituffik Cosmodrome (formerly Thule Force Air Base) in Greenland since construction began in 1951. This strategic installation enables missile defense of the U.S. homeland and provides domain awareness to help enable the “Golden Dome” system.

The Kingdom of Denmark, of which Greenland is a part, is a long-standing and reliable ally of the United States; It became a founding member of NATO in 1949, with a comprehensive defense agreement giving the United States the right to conduct military operations in Greenland since 1951. However, Trump and his inner circle intend to seize Greenland, refusing to rule out using military force, whether the Greenlanders and Danes “like it or not.”

Europe’s response to Trump is gaining momentum after a slow start. It was like your best friend suddenly walked away and slapped you in the face.

European Parliament halts work trade agreement What Europe and the US agreed on last year. EU representatives and European Union leaders take action after urgent meetings. French President speaking in Davos Emmanuel Macron Defined Trump’s tariff threat as fundamental unacceptable. He said the EU should now consider using its anti-repression mechanism, known as “”.bazooka trade” will restrict US access to European markets.

Meanwhile, the US President offered so many outlandish ideas in a single day that he even beat his own record. Invited the President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President Alexander Lukashenko He made Belarus a member of the “Peace Board” and offered a permanent seat on that board for US$1 billion (AU$1.4 billion).

He also attributed the effort to capture Greenland to his failure to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Text message to Norwegian Prime Minister Trump reported since then ‘Norway decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize’He no longer feels like he has to think only about peace and can now focus on what’s going on ‘Good and suitable for the USA’.

French President Macron has already turned down $1 billion and also rejected Trump’s invitation to join the cute little club of dictators.

The Trump offensive seems unstoppable. But there is a silver lining. The US stock market is experiencing anxiety. Wall Street recorded its biggest daily drop in three months as Trump’s Greenland tariff threat triggered a broad sell-off. If Trump’s moral compass remains distorted and he doesn’t listen to reason, multibillionaire oligarchs may get fed up with losing money and set him up.

It doesn’t matter whether Trump’s Greenland campaign is about current world power or future recognition (or both). The purchase of Greenland isn’t just another real estate deal where Trump can send a bunch of goons and make the owner an offer they can’t refuse.

This time, Trump is destroying the world order that has kept nuclear war at bay for 77 years. He wants to buy Greenland to gain a place in history. The problem is that there may not be any history.