The document “Project 2025” (Project 2025), developed by an American conservative think tank, which proposes a reform of US policies under a Republican president, highlights the “growing potential” of Greenland and recommends strengthening economic ties between the United States and this territory.
Greenland, targeted by Donald Trump/FOTO:X
“Project 2025” is a 900-page report published by the Heritage Foundation that serves as a guide for a possible Republican administration in 2025. The document sparked controversy during the 2024 election when Democrats accused Donald Trump of planning to implement the policies proposed by Project 2025.
Trump, however, claimed he had no direct connection to the project, calling parts of it “ridiculous” or “disastrous,” but later nominated several of the project's contributors to positions in the White House. Although speculation about the administration's use of the document continues, analysis of the section on Greenland may provide clues about Trump's strategic motivations for this semi-autonomous Danish territory.
What the document says
Project 2025 includes a detailed section on foreign policy in the Arctic area, with specific references to Greenland. The report points out that “because of Alaska, the US is an Arctic nation” and welcomes the reopening of the US consulate in Nuuk by the first Trump administration in 2020.
The original consulate in Nuuk had been closed in 1953 after World War II as part of the downsizing of American diplomatic posts, and diplomatic affairs related to Greenland were handled through the US embassy in Copenhagen. The document states that “a permanent and official diplomatic presence is an effective method to better understand local political and economic dynamics.”
Project 2025 also recommends that, given Greenland's geographic proximity and potential as a trade and tourism destination, “the next administration should pursue policies that strengthen economic ties between the US and Greenland.”
Trump's fears and international reactions
Trump has argued that Greenland is crucial to national security, citing pressure from Russia and China. In a recent post on Truth Social, he said that NATO had been telling Denmark for two decades to remove the Russian threat from Greenland, but that it had not been done. Trump added that “we will not allow Russian and Chinese destroyers or submarines to operate unhindered in the area.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied any Moscow interest in Greenland, saying Russia has “not threatened anyone in the Arctic”. And the commander of the Danish joint forces in Greenland, Major General Søren Andersen, dismissed the idea of an immediate threat from Russia or China, stressing that military training focuses on potential scenarios, not actual dangers.
The Project 2025 report warns, however, that interest in the Arctic will grow from both states and non-state actors. The document points out that Russia and China are eyeing the region, and NATO should recognize that it “is partly an Arctic alliance”, especially in the context of the accession of Finland and Sweden.
But the document adds that “the North Star of US Arctic policy should remain national sovereignty.”
“The US should unreservedly pursue American interests in the Arctic, promoting economic freedom in the region”the document also states.
Official positions
Trump said there was a “framework for a future deal on Greenland,” without giving details, and that talks would continue. Denmark and Greenland have reiterated that the island is not for sale. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen specified that the negotiations can include security, economic and investment aspects, but “cannot target sovereignty”.
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly claimed that Trump “follows American interests and recognizes Greenland's strategic logic,” while Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen emphasized, “Greenland does not want to be ruled by the US and does not want to be part of the United States.”
U.S., Danish and Greenlandic officials signaled continued talks on security and military presence in the Arctic, stressing that any deal would not affect Greenland's sovereignty, while NATO insists on allies' cooperation.
