US President Donald Trump has returned again to talking about his desire to control Greenland, the world’s largest island, which is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, despite the strong opposition from Copenhagen and Nawak officials, the capital of Greenland.
“We need it. We must get it,” Trump said during a radio interview with a conservative station on March 26.
Trump had introduced the idea of buying Greenland for the first time in 2019, during his first presidential term, describing it as a “huge real estate deal” that might reduce the financial burden on Denmark. As for this time, he justifies his desire that American control over the island is a matter related to “national security”.
Why does the United States care about Greenland?
Greenland is of increasing strategic importance, as it is located at the intersection of North Atlantic and Northern Pole, a region that contains huge amounts of biomus and fossil fuel, making it the focus of the attention of the United States and its strategic opponents such as China and Russia.
Also, the solid of the accelerated ice due to climate change facilitates access to these resources and opens the shorter marine roads for trade between America, Europe and Asia.
The island already includes the “Thi” air base, which is the farthest American base in the north, in addition to a radar station used to discover missile threats and space control.
How can the United States get Greenland?
Greenland’s autonomy in 2009 gives its residents the right to self -determination, and prevents Denmark from selling the island without their consent. According to the assistant professor at the University of Greenland, Rasmos Lander Nielsen, Denmark cannot sell the island because “Greenlands are an independent people by themselves.”
Trump can bet that Greenland is independent of Denmark and then concludes a deal to join the United States. Although the issue of independence has long been proposed, the results of the last elections on March 11 showed that 3 out of 4 voters voted for parties that support the slow move towards independence, which reflects the population’s fears of distance from Denmark quickly that may make them vulnerable to American pressure.
Have the United States ever bought lands?
Yes, the United States has historical precedents in the purchase of lands, such as:
- The purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867 for $ 7.2 million.
- Louisiana’s purchase from France in 1803 for $ 15 million.
- Even Denmark itself sold the Virgin Islands to the United States in 1917.
But the sovereign land market, as the researcher Joseph Baltakir from Duke University in 2014, indicated in the modern era.
How much does Greenland cost?
There are no accurate estimates of Greenland’s value, but the GDP of the island amounted to $ 3.2 billion in 2021, according to the World Bank, while annually obtained support from Denmark worth $ 600 million.
For comparison, the Alaska purchase deal today equals only about $ 150 million.
How does Greenlando see their joining the United States?
Although Trump said he supports the right of Greenlands to self -determination, recent opinion polls show a wide popular rejection of any idea related to joining the United States.
In the aftermath of the recent elections, the leaders of all political parties in Greenland met to reject Trump’s statements, describing his behavior as “unacceptable.”
“Greenland is not a house for sale,” said election winner Yens-Frederick Nielsen, adding that the island needs more rigor in dealing with Trump.
How will Trump pay Greenland?
According to the American constitution, Greenland’s purchase requires Congress’ approval to fund the deal. But Trump has already shown his willingness to overcome the powers of Congress, as he did in financing the border wall with Mexico when he resorted to the budget of the Ministry of Defense after refusing to Congress. The US Supreme Court supported that step at the time.
Despite Trump’s insistence, his plan still seems unrealistic politically and legally, especially in light of the popular and official opposition inside Greenland and Denmark, and fears that the island will be used as a paper in a wider geopolitical conflict.
