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Trump's Greenland Dreams

13.01.2025
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https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/everything-you-need-to-know-about-trumps-greenland-gambit/

 

Trump’s recently renewed interest in Greenland comes as no surprise. Given the new president’s understanding of history, a strategic acquisition of Greenland should be seen as a natural option for expanding US territory in North America while securing Trump’s place in the history books.

A secondary but no less important aspect of the Trump team’s focus on Greenland is the island’s rich mineral wealth and possible future as an alternative to China’s current near-monopoly on rare earth minerals. Coupled with Russia’s increased regional activity and China’s stated goal of becoming an Arctic state, the new administration undoubtedly views securing Greenland firmly within the US sphere of influence as a national security priority.

Trump can’t just “take Greenland.” It is a semi-autonomous part of Denmark, with its own prime minister, but governed by the Danish constitution. And that means any change to its status would require a constitutional amendment. Greenland has the right to declare autonomy through a referendum. However, according to Danish researcher Ulrik Pram Gad, “Greenland talks about becoming independent from Denmark, but no Greenlander wants to simply go over to a new colonial master.” Furthermore, full autonomy would mean Greenland would lose its connection to Denmark, a wealthy member of the European Union and a country that Greenland relies on for annual subsidies. While the president-elect’s desire to buy Greenland outright may seem odd, former Trump administration officials have made a compelling case for the island to enter into a Compact of Free Association with the United States if it chooses to seek independence from Denmark, thereby ensuring its territorial integrity and achieving national independence.

 

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