Trump's Strategic Vision: Why Greenland Holds Key Importance

Trump's Strategic Vision: Why Greenland Holds Key Importance.

The President-elect of the United States does not dismiss the possibility of employing military force to seize control of Danish territory, which hosts a US military installation.

During a press conference held at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Tuesday, President-elect Donald Trump of the United States reaffirmed his interest in acquiring Greenland, asserting that it is vital for American national security.

The Republican leader, who is scheduled to be inaugurated on January 20, did not dismiss the possibility of employing military or economic measures to realize the objective of annexing the self-governing Danish territory. Additionally, Trump has expressed intentions to make Canada the 51st state of the United States and to take control of the Panama Canal, as part of his broader agenda for territorial expansion following his electoral victory in November.

This raises the question: why does Trump seek to acquire Greenland, a territory that is predominantly covered in ice and located over 3,000 kilometers (1,864 miles) from Washington, DC? Is this the first instance of the United States attempting to obtain Greenland?

Where is Greenland? What’s its status?

Geographically, Greenland is situated between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, making it the largest island in the world and a part of North America. While Australia is significantly larger and surrounded by water, it is classified as a continent rather than an island. Greenland is inhabited by approximately 56,000 individuals, primarily Indigenous Inuit people.

Greenland is the world’s largest island, spanning 2.17 million square kilometers.

Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, is situated closer to New York City, approximately 2,900 kilometers (1,800 miles) away, than to Copenhagen, which lies 3,500 kilometers (2,174 miles) to the east. Greenland was governed by Denmark from the early 18th century until it achieved self-governing status in 1979.

Since 2009, the territory has had the option to pursue independence through a referendum. Prime Minister Mute Egede of Greenland has advocated for independence from Denmark. The Arctic island is one of Denmark's two autonomous territories, the other being the Faroe Islands. As Denmark is a member of NATO, Greenland is automatically included in the North Atlantic military alliance. Although Greenland is not a member of the European Union, it is associated with the EU as one of the 25 overseas countries and territories (OCTs).

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According to an EU law website, "OCT nationals are EU citizens," which means that Greenlanders are recognized as EU citizens. In 1973, Greenland became a member of the European Community alongside Denmark but withdrew in 1985. The European Community has since been succeeded by the EU. The EU has not provided an official response to recent statements made by Trump.

How have Greenland and Denmark responded to Trump's assertions?

On December 23, Trump stated on his Truth Social media platform that “the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity.” In response, Greenland’s elected Prime Minister, Egede, firmly declared that the island is not for sale. “Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale.

We must not lose our long struggle for freedom,” Egede emphasized in a written statement. In light of Trump's intentions regarding the autonomous territory, the Danish government announced an increase in defense spending in Greenland amounting to $1.5 billion. On Tuesday, prior to his son Donald Trump Jr.'s visit to Greenland, the US President-elect reiterated on his Truth Social platform that “Greenland is an incredible place, and the people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our Nation….” Following Trump's recent remarks, Egede convened with Danish King Frederik X in Copenhagen on Wednesday, although the specifics of their discussion were not disclosed. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen asserted on Tuesday that “Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders,” while Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen stated that the island has no intention of becoming a federal state within the United States.

What motivates Trump’s interest in Greenland?

This is not the first occasion on which Trump has shown interest in acquiring the island, which is home to a US military base. He previously canceled a planned visit to Copenhagen after Denmark, a key US ally, declined his proposal to purchase the island during his first term. Greenland provides the most direct route from North America to Europe, offering the US a strategic advantage for military operations and its ballistic missile early-warning system. The US has indicated a desire to enhance its military presence in Greenland by installing radars in the waters that connect Greenland, Iceland, and the United Kingdom. These waters serve as a critical passage for Russian and Chinese vessels, which the US aims to monitor.

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The island possesses a significant abundance of minerals, including rare earth elements essential for battery production and advanced technological applications. A 2023 assessment revealed that 25 out of 34 minerals classified as "critical raw materials" by the European Commission are present in Greenland. Greenland does not engage in the extraction of oil and gas, and its mining activities face opposition from the Indigenous communities. The island's economy primarily depends on its fishing industry.

Has the United States attempted to purchase Greenland in the past?

Indeed, the United States has shown a longstanding interest in Greenland. The United States has contemplated acquiring Greenland on at least two occasions, notably in 1867 and again in 1946, when President Harry S. Truman proposed a purchase for $100 million. This proposal was declined by Denmark.

In 1867, the United States acquired Alaska from Russia. Following this, Secretary of State William H. Seward sought to negotiate the acquisition of Greenland from Russia, but this effort was unsuccessful. The United States occupied Greenland in 1941 after Nazi Germany invaded Denmark during World War II. A military and radio presence was established on the island, and American forces have maintained a continuous presence at Pituffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Base, located in the northwest of Greenland.

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While Greenland was still under Danish colonial rule in 1946, Truman proposed the purchase of the island for $100 million, an offer that Denmark rejected. This proposal was made under the veil of Cold War secrecy and only became public knowledge in 1991 through an Associated Press report.

The Mercator projection: What is the actual size of Greenland?

Certain world maps can distort the perception of Greenland's true size. The Arctic island spans 2.17 million square kilometers (836,330 square miles), making it approximately three times larger than the U.S. state of Texas.

The perception of Danish territory appears larger when viewed on maps. This discrepancy arises from the prevalent use of the Mercator projection in modern cartography, a method developed by the European cartographer Geert de Kremer in 1569. This projection has faced criticism for its distortion of landmass proportions. In the Mercator representation, Greenland is depicted as nearly the same size as Africa; however, in reality, Africa can accommodate 14 times the area of Greenland.

The visit of Donald Trump Jr. to Greenland has raised questions

He arrived on the island on Tuesday, with the Greenland government stating that he was there "as a private individual," and that no meetings with Greenlandic representatives were scheduled. Nonetheless, Trump expressed on his Truth Social platform on Monday that he had heard the people of Greenland were supportive of the Make America Great Again movement.

“I am hearing that the people of Greenland are ‘MAGA’”, referring to the Make America Great Again movement.

“My son, Don Jr, and various representatives, will be traveling there to visit some of the most magnificent areas and sights.

“Greenland is an incredible place, and the people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our nation,” Trump added. “We will protect it, and cherish it, from a very vicious outside world.”

Global response

The global response to Trump's remarks has been largely negative, particularly among European leaders. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticized Trump's notion on Wednesday, asserting, “Borders must not be moved by force. This principle applies to every country, whether in the East or the West,” He further noted that discussions with European partners revealed a sense of unease regarding recent statements from the United States, emphasizing the need for unity.

“In talks with our European partners, there is an uneasiness regarding recent statements from the US. It is clear: We must stand together.”

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told national radio on Wednesday that there was “no question of the EU letting other nations in the world, whoever they may be,  attack its sovereign borders.”

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