'Nuuk and Cranny': Sen. Cruz Believes U.S. Acquisition of Greenland is a Win-Win

Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), Chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, held a hearing titled "Nuuk and Cranny: Looking at the Arctic and Greenland's Geostrategic Importance to U.S. Interests." In late January, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that America is about acquiring the land and that it is "in our national interest" to do so.

During this hearing, Sen. Cruz said Greenland is more than "some remote island" but holds "immense strategic and economic importance" for military use and trade purposes.

Cruz also spoke on the potential benefits for both parties should the United States acquire Greenland. He also shared the importance of creating a new fleet of "icebreaker" ships to navigate the elements of the frozen waters and compete with the likes of China and Russia.

“President Trump has highlighted the urgent need for a new fleet, and as Chairman, I’m committed to ending Russian and Chinese icebreaker dominance," said the Texas senator. "Executing on this quickly—not waiting for years and years on piecemeal, sclerotic annual appropriations—is vital for our national security, the economic productivity of Alaska and the Arctic, and our national shipbuilding capacity at American shipyards like Keppel Amfels and Bollinger."

Cruz also stated that the acquisition of Greenland contains more than strategic importance for both the military and transportation. Still, it also contains "vast reserves of rare earth elements" which could roll back dependence on foreign suppliers and adversaries such as China.

Moreover, Cruz assured that the acquisition of Greenland by the United States is "not about military force" but likely through a mutually confirming referendum from Greenlanders themselves. Cruz calls these benefits "enormous" for both sides.

“And let’s not forget—friends and allies can have tough conversations. The U.S. and Denmark have a strong relationship, and discussions about Greenland’s future don’t have to be adversarial," said Sen. Cruz. "If Greenland’s future were to include joining the U.S., that would require the approval of the Greenlandic people, likely through a referendum. This would be a mutual decision, and it’s one worth discussing. This is about shared interests, and the potential benefits for all sides are enormous."

He continued, sharing the potential mutual benefits for both Greenland and America.

"It will take billions in investment to develop Greenland’s natural resource wealth. That kind of investment from the U.S. could drastically improve the standard of living for Greenlanders—better infrastructure, stronger healthcare, improved education. It’s a win-win situation. Greenland’s economy would grow, and the U.S. would gain a stronger, more secure foothold in the Arctic," Cruz said.

Additionally, Representative Earl "Buddy" Carter (R-GA) recently introduced a bill that would rename Greenland to "Red, White, and Blueland." It would also grant cordial permission to President Donald Trump (R) to begin acquisition talks.