Greenland: Why Trump wants to buy it – Who owns and runs the largest island on the planet

Donald Trump‘s ambition to acquire Greenland has resurfaced as he prepares to assume a second term as President of the United States.

In a post on Truth Social, he referred to the ownership and control of the island as “an absolute necessity” for U.S. national security, rekindling debates about an issue that had surfaced during his first term.

This statement provoked an immediate response from Greenland’s Prime Minister, Múte Egede, who clarified that “Greenland is not for sale” and reaffirmed the island’s ongoing struggle for freedom and autonomy.

The Strategic Importance of Greenland
Greenland, the largest island in the world, spanning over 2 million square kilometers, boasts abundant natural resources such as oil, natural gas, and rare minerals. These resources, combined with its strategic geographic position in the Arctic, make Greenland a critical geopolitical “asset.”

The U.S. military base, Pituffik Space Base, located on the island, holds strategic importance for missile defense and space surveillance missions. Built during the Cold War, the base remains vital to U.S. national security.

A History of U.S. Interest and Geopolitical Ambitions
The U.S. interest in Greenland is not new. In the 1940s, President Harry Truman’s administration offered $100 million to purchase Greenland from Denmark. Although the proposal was rejected, the island’s strategic significance has only grown.

The idea resurfaced in 2019 during Trump’s first term, supported by politicians like Senator Tom Cotton, who argued that Greenland could bolster U.S. national security, especially given China’s growing influence in the Arctic.

The Political and Economic Realities of Greenland
Greenland has been an autonomous territory of Denmark since 2009, with the right to declare independence. Politically and culturally tied to Europe, the island is geographically part of North America. It is home to 57,000 people, most of whom are indigenous Inuit.

The island’s economic value is estimated to exceed $1.7 trillion, considering its natural resources and infrastructure. This makes any potential purchase by the U.S. extraordinarily complex, especially given Denmark’s historical and political ties to Greenland.

What This Means for Geopolitical Balance
The renewed U.S. interest in Greenland highlights the strategic importance of the Arctic, a region increasingly critical due to climate change and escalating geopolitical rivalry. China, Russia, and the U.S. are all vying for influence in the area, making Greenland a focal point of this international competition.

Trump appears determined to push for the acquisition of the island as part of a broader strategy to enhance U.S. presence in the Arctic and protect its strategic interests. However, resistance from Greenland and Denmark presents obstacles that make this initiative challenging to implement.

Geographical Context
Southeast of Greenland lies the Atlantic Ocean and Iceland; to the east is the Greenland Sea; to the north is the Arctic Ocean; and to the west are Baffin Bay and Canada.

Greenland is the largest island on Earth (if Australia is considered part of the Oceania continent rather than an island) and the world’s largest dependent territory by land area. Approximately 81% of its surface is covered by ice.

Since June 21, 2009, Greenland’s government has enjoyed greater autonomy from Denmark, gaining additional powers and the right to exploit the rich natural resources within its territory.

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