75% of Americans Oppose the U.S. Attempting to Take Control of Greenland

In an era marked by rising geopolitical tensions and renewed great-power competition, few ideas have sparked as much public unease as the notion of the United States attempting to take control of Greenland. According to a recent CNN poll, a striking 75% of Americans oppose any U.S. effort to assume control over the Arctic island, highlighting a significant disconnect between strategic rhetoric at the top and public opinion on the ground.
This overwhelming resistance is not just a reaction to one controversial proposal. Instead, it reflects broader American skepticism toward territorial expansion, military overreach, and foreign policy decisions that risk destabilizing long-standing alliances.
Why Greenland Has Become a Strategic Flashpoint
Greenland may seem distant to many Americans, but its importance has grown rapidly in recent years. As the world’s largest island, Greenland sits at a critical crossroads between North America and Europe. Melting Arctic ice has opened new shipping routes and exposed valuable natural resources, including rare earth minerals that are increasingly vital to modern technology and clean energy systems.
From a military perspective, Greenland’s location is equally significant. The United States already operates Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base) there, a key component of U.S. missile defense and early-warning systems. For policymakers focused on countering Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic, Greenland is viewed as strategically indispensable.
Yet, while strategic analysts may see opportunity, the American public sees risk.
What the CNN Poll Tells Us
The CNN poll paints a clear picture: most Americans are deeply uncomfortable with the idea of asserting control over another territory. Only one in four respondents expressed support for such a move, while opposition spanned nearly every demographic group.
Key takeaways from the poll include:
Democrats are overwhelmingly opposed, with strong majorities rejecting the idea outright.
Independents also lean heavily against U.S. control of Greenland, signaling concern beyond party loyalty.
Republicans are more divided, but even among them, support falls well short of a majority.
This data suggests that resistance is not simply partisan politics at play. Instead, it reflects a shared national hesitation about crossing a line into overt territorial expansion.
A Broader Shift in How Americans View Power
The opposition to taking control of Greenland fits into a wider pattern in U.S. public opinion. After decades of military engagements abroad — from Iraq and Afghanistan to smaller interventions across the globe — many Americans are wary of policies that could entangle the country in new conflicts.
For a growing number of citizens, expansionist ideas evoke uncomfortable comparisons to imperialism, undermining the image of the United States as a defender of self-determination and international law. The idea of “taking control” of Greenland feels, to many, like a throwback to an era they thought was long over.
Instead, Americans increasingly favor diplomacy, economic partnerships, and multilateral cooperation over unilateral action.
Concerns About Military Force and Alliances
One of the strongest sources of opposition lies in fears about military escalation. Many Americans worry that any attempt to control Greenland — especially without the consent of its people — could require coercion or force. This raises alarms about unnecessary conflict and the moral implications of such actions.
There is also deep concern about damaging relationships with allies, particularly Denmark, which governs Greenland, and NATO partners more broadly. Denmark is a long-standing U.S. ally, and Greenland’s status is protected under international agreements. Any aggressive move could strain alliances that are already under pressure in a volatile global environment.
For Americans who value NATO and transatlantic unity, the cost of such a policy appears far too high.
What Greenlanders and Denmark Are Saying
Importantly, opposition doesn’t stop at U.S. borders. Leaders in both Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly emphasized that Greenland is not for sale and not up for takeover. Greenland’s population, though small, has its own government and a strong sense of cultural and political identity.
Surveys conducted in Greenland consistently show that most residents oppose becoming part of the United States. While many Greenlanders support greater autonomy or eventual independence, that future is envisioned on their own terms — not as a result of foreign acquisition.
This makes the idea even less palatable to Americans who believe in democratic values and self-determination.
A Warning Sign for Policymakers
The CNN poll sends a clear message to Washington: public patience for bold, unilateral foreign policy experiments is wearing thin. Americans appear far more interested in stability and cooperation than in symbolic displays of power.
This doesn’t mean the public is indifferent to national security. Rather, it suggests that Americans want a measured approach — one that protects strategic interests without undermining international norms or dragging the country into avoidable disputes.
Greenland’s strategic importance is real, but so are the risks of overreach.
What Comes Next?
As climate change continues to reshape the Arctic, Greenland will remain central to global discussions about security, resources, and influence. The challenge for U.S. leaders will be finding ways to strengthen partnerships and protect interests without alienating allies or their own citizens.
The poll’s results make one thing clear: most Americans do not want their country pursuing control over Greenland. They favor collaboration over confrontation, respect for sovereignty over territorial ambition, and a foreign policy that reflects democratic values rather than dominance.
In a rapidly changing world, that public sentiment may prove just as important as any strategic calculation drawn on a map.