Yuri Kobzar17:23, 23.12.24

In fact, the idea of ​​taking control of Greenland has been circulating in the United States since the century before last.

Donald Trump has renewed his claim to Greenland , the largest island on Earth, located in the North Atlantic and an autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark. He made the corresponding statement on his own social networks .

Thus, announcing his plans to appoint a new ambassador to Denmark, Trump recalled his long-standing dream of taking Greenland under US control.

“For the purposes of national security and freedom throughout the world, the United States of America believes that possession and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity,” Trump inserted into his eulogy in honor of the incoming ambassador.

The statement by the newly elected US president caused outrage in Greenland.

“Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will not be sold. We must not lose our long struggle for freedom. However, we must continue to be open to cooperation and trade with the whole world, especially with our neighbors. Because all cooperation and trade cannot go through Denmark,” Greenlandic Prime Minister Mute Egede wrote on his Facebook .

Trump’s claims to Greenland

Greenland is a self-governing territory within Denmark. It has a wide degree of autonomy, particularly in economic and humanitarian matters, but Denmark is responsible for its defense and foreign policy. Greenland is the largest island in the world, strategically located between North America and Europe, with abundant natural resources such as minerals and oil deposits.

In 2019, then-US President Donald Trump expressed interest in purchasing Greenland, citing its strategic importance to the United States (particularly for military bases) and its economic resources. Trump called the idea of ​​buying Greenland a “great real estate deal”.  

The proposal sparked outrage in Denmark and Greenland , which rejected it as absurd. Trump subsequently canceled a planned visit to Denmark .  

Although Trump’s proposal was widely ridiculed in the media, it is actually based on a certain political tradition. The idea of ​​acquiring Greenland has appeared in American politics since the 19th century. 

During World War II, when Denmark itself was occupied by Nazi Germany, the United States occupied Greenland de facto and de jure to prevent it from falling to the Germans. The occupation was peaceful and with the consent of the Danish government-in-exile. During the war, the United States built several air bases on the island, including Thule Air Base, which still operates as part of the US and NATO missile defense system.

After the end of World War II, Denmark regained its sovereignty over the island. In 1946, the United States offered Denmark $100 million in gold to purchase Greenland. The offer was rejected.

(C)UNIAN 2024