President-elect Donald Trump has reignited discussions about his controversial proposal to purchase Greenland, a move he previously explored during his presidency. This time, his former National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien has cited climate change as a key justification for acquiring the autonomous Danish territory.

In an interview on Sunday Morning Futures with guest host Jason Chaffetz, O’Brien argued that Greenland’s strategic importance will grow as global warming alters geopolitical landscapes. He suggested that climate change could reduce reliance on traditional trade routes like the Panama Canal, making Greenland a crucial pathway between the Arctic and North America.

“Greenland is a highway from the Arctic all the way to North America,” O’Brien stated. “As the climate gets warmer, the Arctic is going to be a pathway that maybe cuts down on the usage of the Panama Canal. It’s strategically very important for the future.”

A "Critical Battleground" in the Arctic

O’Brien also positioned Greenland as a key front in an emerging competition with Russia and China for Arctic dominance. He emphasized the island's untapped natural resources, suggesting the U.S. could bolster Greenland’s defense while benefiting from resource extraction.

“Russia and China are all over the Arctic,” O’Brien said. “Denmark owns Greenland, and they have an obligation to defend it. President Trump said, ‘If you don’t defend Greenland, we’ll buy it and defend it ourselves. But we’re not going to do it for free while you leave Greenland’s resources untapped.’”

O’Brien framed Denmark as a frontline player in a broader struggle against Russian and Chinese influence, likening Greenland’s strategic significance to that of Baltic states like Poland.

Greenland Pushes Back

Despite these assertions, Greenland’s leaders have firmly rejected any notion of selling the island. Prime Minister Múte Egede recently reiterated Greenland’s stance in a public statement:

“Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must not lose our long struggle for freedom,” Egede declared.

Critics Weigh In

Critics have expressed outrage at the proposal, particularly over the GOP’s invocation of climate change—a phenomenon many within the party have historically downplayed or denied. Social media users questioned the ethics of using climate change to justify the acquisition of a sovereign territory.

“So they accept climate change as real—but only to justify annexing sovereign nations?” one commentator wrote.

A Complicated Proposal

Trump’s Greenland ambitions reflect broader geopolitical and environmental shifts in the Arctic. Melting ice is opening new trade routes and exposing valuable resources, sparking a scramble among global powers for influence in the region. However, the ethical, legal, and diplomatic implications of such a proposal remain contentious.

For now, Greenland’s strong rejection suggests that the U.S. faces significant resistance to its Arctic aspirations. Whether these discussions will lead to further tensions or a shift in international relations remains to be seen.