Media Tip Sheets

US annex Greenland? SU experts weigh in

Tuesday, January 21, 2025, By Ellen Mbuqe
President Donald Trump has advocated for the United States to annex Greenland. For reporters covering this story, please consider Syracuse University experts who can offer insight on the issues.
Renée de Nevers is an associate professor in the Department of Public Administration and International Affairs at Syracuse University. Her expertise lies in national security, defense and foreign policy.
  • “Trump will not re-enter the White House for two more weeks, but he has already generated tensions with key European allies by threatening to use military force to acquire Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark. The Western alliance has been united in condemning Russia for its violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty since it invaded in 2014 and again in 2022, but Trump’s comments display no recognition of basic principles of sovereignty and international law. Presidents Putin and Xi are likely watching from the sidelines with popcorn.”
Michael J. Williams is an associate professor in the Department of Public Administration and International Affairs at Syracuse University. His expertise is in national security, European Relations, and NATO.
  • “Over-interpretating President-elect’s Donald Trump’s statements about the US buying Greenland from Denmark would be a mistake. Trump throws out a lot of ideas for consideration, but most of them are just that, an idea, and in the end may not be workable. Trump is concerned about Arctic security and sees Greenland as gateway to the Arctic – which it is. However, his national security concerns about Russia and China can be easily accommodated by Denmark and Greenland within the NATO context.”

To arrange interviews, please contact Ellen James Mbuqe, executive director of media relations, at ejmbuq