He added, “We will keep you safe, we will make you rich, and together, we will take Greenland to heights like you have never thought possible before
.”
“It’s a very small population, a very, very large piece of land, and very, very important for military security. We need Greenland for national security and even international security, and we’re working with everybody involved to try and get it,” he added.
Even before starting his second term as president, Trump said he hoped to make Greenland a part of the US. Experts suggests that Greenland’s strategic location and rich mineral resources could benefit the US and it lies along the shortest route from Europe to North America, vital for the US ballistic missile warning system. According to a Reuters report, Trump’s interest in Greenland has invigorated that country’s independence movement, sparking calls for swift secession discussions with Denmark, its former colonial ruler.Trump had earlier expressed his desire to annex Greenland from Denmark and his ambition to acquire the autonomous Danish territory and claimed that Greenland’s 57,000 residents “want to be with the United States”.
Also read | Greenland is not for sale, its leader says in response to Donald Trump
About Greenland
- Greenland is an autonomous territory and world’s largest island located within the Kingdom of Denmark, located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans.
- It is the world’s most sparsely populated territory. About 56,000 people live there, mostly indigenous Inuit people.
- The island was governed as a colony until the mid-20th century. For much of this time, it remained isolated and underdeveloped
- In 1953, it was made part of the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenlanders became Danish citizens and in 1979, a referendum gave Greenland control of most policies within the territory, with Denmark getting control over foreign affairs and defence.
Strategic importance of Greenland
- Greenland holds significant strategic importance due to its unique geographical location, natural resources, and geopolitical context.
- Nato and Arctic security: Greenland is a member of Nato and plays a crucial role in the alliance’s Arctic security strategy.
- Arctic surveillance: Greenland’s location enables monitoring of Russian and Chinese activities in the Arctic.
- Rare Earth minerals: Greenland is rich in rare earth minerals, essential for modern technologies, including electronics, renewable energy systems, and advanced ceramics.
- Uranium and other minerals: The country has significant deposits of uranium, iron ore, and other valuable minerals.
- Fishing and maritime resources: Greenland’s waters are rich in fish and other marine resources, making it an important player in the global fishing industry.
- WHY Greenland matters to the US?
- In 1951, a defence agreement with Denmark granted the US a significant role in the defence of the territory, including the right to build and maintain military bases.
- The US operates a critical military base in Thule, Greenland, which serves as an early warning system for missile detection and tracking, refuelling stop for US military aircraft, hub for Arctic surveillance and reconnaissance.
- Greenland’s location enables the US to monitor and respond to Russian and Chinese activities in the Arctic.
- The US aims to counterbalance China’s growing presence in Greenland, including Beijing’s attempts to acquire strategic infrastructure and resources.
- Trump had expressed interest in purchasing Greenland from Denmark back in 2019, which was met with scepticism and rejection by the Danish government. Trump tried to buy Greenland during his first term as well. Both Denmark and the Greenlandic government rejected the 2019 proposal, saying: “Greenland is not for sale.”
(Edited by : Jerome Anthony)
