Donald Trump Isn’t the First U.S. President to Eye Greenland—Here’s Why
When President-elect Donald Trump expressed interest in acquiring Greenland for the United States, he was tapping into a long-standing tradition among US presidents who have contemplated this notion.
In 1867, President Andrew Johnson considered the possibility of purchasing Greenland. Similarly, President William Taft entertained the idea in 1910.
During World War II, the US occupied Greenland to thwart any potential access for adversaries. Then, in 1946, President Harry Truman proposed another offer to Denmark for the territory.
From 2016 to 2019, the Trump administration further explored this concept, leading to a significant diplomatic clash with Denmark before Mr. Trump was defeated in 2020.
The motivations behind this interest are quite evident.
A glance at a map, especially one centered on the Arctic Circle, reveals just how closely the Arctic nations lie to one another. Adding to this is the emergence of the legendary Northwest Passage, which is gradually becoming navigable for the first time in human history due to global warming melting the ice at the North Pole.
This alarming sign of climate change also heralds the opening of a vital new trans-continental shipping route from the Asian Pacific into the North Atlantic.
Donald Trump Jr. visits Nuuk, Greenland. Pic: Reuters
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Additionally, the rare earth elements (REEs) hidden beneath Greenland’s ice and snow include some of the world’s largest known reserves of Scandium, Yttrium, Dysprosium, and Neodymium, among others.
Although it is the largest island on Earth, Greenland is home to fewer than 60,000 residents, all of whom possess Danish citizenship and, by extension, are citizens of the European Union.
However, there is a growing desire among Greenlanders for independence from Denmark, despite their dependence on Copenhagen for over 50% of funding related to health and welfare.
This presents a potential opportunity for the incoming Trump administration. They might forge a deal with the Greenlanders that supports their newfound independence while providing the US with economic and security advantages in the territory.
Denmark may not welcome this notion, but it could resonate with some ambitious politicians in Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, as well as among certain opportunistic leaders about to emerge in Washington DC.
