DONALD Trump initially talked about his controversial need to purchase Greenland throughout his first presidential time period.
And the president-elect is at it once more, even refusing to rule out taking the Nordic territory by pressure. Right here we take a look at why Trump desires it and whether or not it’s on the market.
Why does Donald Trump need to purchase Greenland?
Donald Trump first instructed his aides to look into the chance of shopping for Greenland again in 2019.
The US President desires to purchase the Danish territory as it’s in a vital strategic location in case tensions with Russia rise — however has admitted it isn’t a No. 1 precedence.
In 2019, The Wall Avenue Journal reported that Trump repeatedly expressed a need to purchase the island, which lies between the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans.
At a dinner within the spring of 2018, the previous property tycoon is reported to have talked about shopping for Greenland.
“What do you guys take into consideration that?” he requested the room, in line with a supply.
“Do you suppose it could work?”
A few of Trump’s administration supported the idea, whereas others dismissed it as “fleeting fascination”, in line with the paper.
Following his landslide victory within the 2024 presidential election, the difficulty has come up once more.
Upon being requested at a press convention in January 2025 about whether or not he might guarantee the world he wouldn’t use navy or financial coercion as he tries to realize management of Greenland and the Panama Canal, Trump stated: “No, I can not guarantee you on both of these two.
“However I can say this, we’d like them for financial safety.”
Greenland is wealthy in pure sources — it’s plentiful in oil, gasoline, gold, silver, copper and uranium.
The US has lengthy seen Greenland as strategically necessary and established a radar base at Thule in the beginning of the Chilly Struggle.
Regardless of already having a navy presence within the area, proudly owning the territory would considerably strengthen its place in the Arctic.
The place is Greenland and what’s its capital?
Greenland is situated to the northeast of Canada — nonetheless, regardless of its geographical closeness to the continent of North America it has politically and culturally been related to European international locations similar to Denmark, Norway and Iceland.
Most of its inhabitants are Inuit whose ancestors migrated from Canada.
Its capital Nuuk, the territory’s largest metropolis, has round 18,000 residents.
Greenland as an entire has a inhabitants of roughly 57,000 individuals.
Is Greenland on the market and who owns it?
Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark, which has repeatedly confirmed it isn’t on the market.
In 1946, the US proposed to pay Denmark $100million to purchase Greenland after flirting with the concept of swapping land in Alaska for strategic components of the Arctic island.
The autonomous Danish dependent territory has restricted self-government and its personal parliament.
Whereas its authorities decides on home issues, overseas and safety coverage is dealt with by Copenhagen.
Denmark contributes two-thirds of Greenland’s funds income, the remainder coming primarily from fishing.
Potential oil, gasoline and uncommon earth mineral reserves have additionally attracted prospecting companies.
Nevertheless, Greenland’s 56,000 residents must determine on any switch, experiences the Atlantic.
The report says: “…the choice shouldn’t be even Denmark’s to make. Legally and morally, the island’s 56,000 residents — most of whom are ethnically Greenlandic Inuit—get to determine on any worldwide union their state joins.”
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What has Greenland stated in response?
Greenland’s authorities stated it isn’t on the market.
In 2019, they stated: “We’re open for enterprise, not on the market.”
Prime Minister Kim Kielsen stated: “Greenland is not going to be bought.”
He additionally slammed President Trump’s resort tweet saying: “It’s not amusing. It’s not a humorous factor.”
Former Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen tweeted: “It should be an April Idiot’s Day joke…however completely out of [season]!”
What has Denmark stated in response?
Trump’s intention to purchase Greenland was blasted by Danish politicians again in 2019.
Soren Espersen, of the Danish Folks’s Get together, instructed nationwide broadcaster DR: “If he’s actually considering this, then that is remaining proof that he has gone mad.
“The considered Denmark promoting 50,000 residents to america is totally ridiculous.”
Danish Conservative MP Rasmus Jarlov tweeted: “Out of all issues that aren’t going to occur, that is probably the most unlikely. Overlook it.”
And in January 2025, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned: “I do not suppose it is a great way ahead to struggle one another with monetary means after we are shut allies and companions.”
Trump cancelled his state go to to Denmark in 2019 after the Danish PM branded the president’s proposal to purchase Greenland “absurd”.
Trump had been resulting from go to Denmark in early September after being invited by Queen Margrethe II.
However after Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen insisted “Greenland shouldn’t be on the market”, Trump stated he can be suspending their deliberate assembly.
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Trump tweeted: “Denmark is a really particular nation with unimaginable individuals.
“However based mostly on Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s feedback, that she would have little interest in discussing the acquisition of Greenland, I will probably be suspending our assembly scheduled in two weeks for an additional time.
“The Prime Minister was in a position to save a substantial amount of expense and energy for each america and Denmark by being so direct.
“I thank her for that and stay up for rescheduling someday sooner or later!”
However on January 7, 2025, Trump Jr landed in Greenland, sparking contemporary rumours that his president-elect dad is severe about snapping up the icy island.
In accordance with Greenland’s overseas affairs division, this was an unofficial go to set to final just some hours, with no formal conferences deliberate.
When did the US purchase Alaska?
The US purchased Alaska from Russia for $7.2m in 1867 — in a deal that’s now seen as an unimaginable cut price contemplating the territory’s wealth of oil and minerals.
Alaska was formally transferred on October 18, 1867, by way of a treaty ratified by the US Senate.
It was made a state by President Eisenhower in 1948.
Alaska is now residence to Fort Greely — a US Military launch web site for anti-ballistic missiles.
Can international locations purchase territories?
Sure, international locations can purchase territories.
In 1803, the US struck a land cope with France to purchase 827,000 sq. miles of land referred to as the Louisana Buy. It massively expanded the US’ territory.
In 1819, the US purchased Florida from Spain.
Components of modern-day Texas and the South West have been purchased from Mexico in 1848 and 1857.
The US purchased the Virgin Islands from Denmark in 1917.
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