From Chairman Truono's Desk: Greenland: A Strategic Masterstroke That Will Define Trump’s Legacy—and Ours in 2026
- Sussex County Republican Committee
- Jan 20
- 5 min read
January 20, 2026
Gene Truono, Chair, Delaware Republican Party
Dear Fellow Delaware Republicans,
President Trump's resolute determination to secure Greenland stands as a defining moment of bold, America-first leadership—one that refuses to let adversaries dictate the future of the West. In a rapidly changing Arctic, where ice melt is accelerating at nearly four times the global average, Russia fortifies its military presence with nuclear-capable bases and advanced icebreakers, while China aggressively pursues mining concessions and infrastructure projects to extend its influence. Allowing these authoritarian powers to dominate this strategic frontier would be a grave strategic blunder with consequences for generations.
Full U.S. ownership or control of Greenland—currently an autonomous territory of Denmark—offers the decisive advantage we need to protect our homeland, our allies, and the free world. This is not about expansion for its own sake; it is about safeguarding the very foundations of Western security and prosperity.
The 1867 purchase of Alaska, once derided as “Seward’s Folly” for its $7.2 million cost, proved to be one of the most astute investments in American history. Today, Alaska delivers billions in oil revenue (over 13 billion barrels produced from Prudhoe Bay alone since 1977), $5.8 billion in annual fisheries, and unmatched strategic value for national defense. Greenland represents the same opportunity: a transformative step that will silence critics and deliver enduring benefits for America and our allies.
The strategic imperatives are clear, compelling, and multifaceted, providing layered advantages across military, economic, and geopolitical domains:
Unmatched Military Superiority and Homeland Defense — Greenland’s pivotal position astride the GIUK Gap (Greenland-Iceland-UK) controls the critical gateway between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, serving as a naval and air chokepoint essential for monitoring and restricting Russian submarine movements in the North Atlantic. Expanding infrastructure beyond the existing Pituffik Space Base—the northernmost U.S. military installation and a cornerstone of missile early warning, missile defense, space surveillance, and tracking—would provide an unparalleled forward operating position to detect threats over the North Pole (the shortest path for Russian ballistic missiles), deter transpolar attacks, counter Russian naval operations, and secure North American homeland defense in this increasingly vital theater of great-power competition.
Critical Mineral Independence and Supply Chain Resilience — Greenland possesses 1.5 million tons of rare earth reserves (ranking eighth globally), including two of the world's largest deposits: Kvanefjeld (the third-largest known land deposit with over 11 million metric tons of reserves/resources and significant heavy rare earth elements) and Tanbreez (potentially the world's largest with high concentrations of heavy REEs). These materials are indispensable for electric vehicles, wind turbines, batteries, advanced military equipment, electronics, and green energy technologies. U.S. control would dramatically reduce America's dangerous dependence on China—which dominates 70-90% of global processing and has imposed export restrictions causing disruptions in defense and commercial sectors—fostering true supply chain independence, supporting domestic manufacturing, and delivering “enormous economic benefits” comparable to Alaska’s transformative resource legacy.
Dominance of Emerging Trade Routes — Climate-driven ice melt is rapidly opening the Northwest Passage and Transpolar Sea routes, potentially shortening Asia-Europe and North America transit distances by up to 7,000 km (avoiding traditional chokepoints like the Suez or Panama Canals and slashing travel times significantly). Greenland’s strategic location along these emerging global passages would grant the U.S. substantial influence over future commercial and military shipping lanes, enabling faster, more cost-effective trade, enhancing economic efficiency, and allowing secure monitoring and control in contested Arctic waters—turning geographic advantage into lasting economic prosperity and strategic leverage.
Geopolitical Leadership and Comprehensive Deterrence — Greater U.S. control would decisively neutralize Russian militarization—including forward-staging of aviation, naval, and ground assets—and Chinese investments (such as mining stakes, infrastructure projects, and the "Polar Silk Road" initiative under which China positions itself as a “Near-Arctic State”). This would reinforce NATO's collective deterrence among Arctic allies (all except Russia), strengthen transatlantic security, and align with America's proven history of bold territorial decisions that have secured long-term national interests in a multipolar world.
Expanded Space Domain Awareness and Technological Edge — Greenland’s unique geography supports advanced satellite command, control, space domain awareness, and tracking capabilities—critical in an era where Russia and China are developing counter-space weapons, hypersonic missiles, and cyber threats. Enhanced U.S. presence would bolster technological superiority, protect vital satellite infrastructure, and provide early detection of emerging threats, ensuring America maintains its edge in space-based defense and intelligence.
Broader Economic Diversification and Long-Term Prosperity — Beyond rare earths, Greenland holds vast untapped deposits of graphite (essential for batteries and defense), copper, nickel, zinc, gold, uranium, iron ore, and other critical minerals. Responsible development—coupled with investments in sustainable tourism, renewable energy projects, ports, roads, and energy infrastructure—would create high-wage jobs, diversify the local economy away from volatile fishing (over 90% of exports), and generate substantial revenue streams for both Greenland and the U.S., mirroring the multi-decade economic boom Alaska has delivered since its acquisition.
Democrats, predictably, have responded with fear-mongering and obstruction:
House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rep. Pete Aguilar called the administration’s approach “completely unhinged,” claiming “they’re threatening a NATO ally in Greenland and Denmark.”
Vice Chairman Rep. Ted Lieu warned there is “absolutely no legal justification whatsoever to use military force against a NATO ally,” and accused the President of issuing “illegal orders.”
Such inflammatory rhetoric is not rooted in concern for national security—it is designed solely to sabotage President Trump’s agenda and weaken America’s hand against real adversaries. By blocking funding and stoking division, Democrats once again prioritize partisan politics over protecting our nation and our allies.
European opposition from Denmark, France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands, and the UK—manifested through joint condemnations and “Operation Arctic Endurance” troop deployments—reflects a similar lack of resolve. By resisting stronger U.S. leadership, these nations risk leaving the Arctic vulnerable to Russian and Chinese advances, undermining the collective security of the West. President Trump’s measured tariff policy (10% starting February 1, escalating to 25% by June on opposing nations) is firm diplomacy that compels the strength our allies too often lack.
Meanwhile, principled conservative leaders like Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni have offered constructive mediation through NATO, recognizing the shared imperative to counter authoritarian threats.
For Greenland’s approximately 57,000 residents, who face economic challenges from fishing dependence (over 90% of exports) and reliance on Danish subsidies (~$500–600 million annually), U.S. partnership presents a transformative opportunity:
Direct lump-sum payments of $10,000 to $100,000 per person (potentially totaling $570 million to $5.7 billion) for immediate economic security
Federal-scale investments in infrastructure (roads, ports, broadband, healthcare, energy) to modernize remote communities
High-wage jobs in minerals, tourism, and energy to foster long-term self-sufficiency
Enhanced defense and emergency response capabilities
A compact-style arrangement offering greater autonomy and potentially higher per-capita support than current Danish aid
President Trump’s leadership on Greenland inspires confidence and conviction: he confronts challenges head-on, delivers results, and refuses to let weakness prevail. This is the same resolve we need in Delaware.
The 2026 midterms are our moment. In our small but mighty state, every conservative voice matters. We are building a powerful grassroots coalition to defy projections, flip seats, end one-party Democratic rule, and restore the values that make America great—lower costs, secure borders, and strong families.
Take action today:
Share this letter with fellow conservatives and your social media accounts
Donate to our mission to fight one-party rule in Delaware by the Democrats
For further reading on the topic:
In solidarity for a secure West, a stronger America, and a victorious Delaware,
Gene Truono,
Chairman of the Delaware Republican Party
