Greenland: Why is Trump Obsessed With Acquiring Danish Territory?

The territory has a population of around 56,000 people, making it one of the least densely populated places on Earth. The country has been governed as an autonomous territory within Denmark since 1979 and manages its internal affairs only relying on Denmark for defense, foreign policy, and monetary matters.

American Efforts to Take Over Territory

America has sought to acquire the territory for a long time. The earliest attempts dates back to 1867 when then US Secretary of state, William H. Seward expressed interest in acquiring Greenland and Iceland. In 1946, just after the World war II, US president, Harry Truman offered Denmark $100 million in gold for Greenland as he wanted to use Greenland as a military and radar base to counter Soviet influence but Denmark refused the offer.

On assumption of office in 2019, President Donald Trump reignited efforts to acquire Greenland describing the idea as a “large real estate deal”, the proposal was however met with widespread criticism and mockery, with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen calling it “absurd.”

In the build-up to his inauguration, Trump has double down on his acquisition plans and recently stating that saying that the Arctic island was “critical” for national and economic security.

Why Is Greenland Important to The US?

Greenland is located between America and Europe and its strategic position places it as a gateway between the US and its archrivals Russia. This significant geographical location has makes it an integral part of the US’ safety system.

The US currently operates a military base called the ‘Thule Air Base’ in Greenland, this air base serves as an early warning system for anticipating Russian attacks. Over the years, the US has gradually increased its military presence in Greenland. Greenland’s Northern Sea route, is a shorter route linking east Asia’s major ports to Europe and the Atlantic Ocean, as a result it is a major highway through which China and Russia can attack the US.

Greenland is also home to largely untapped reserves of rare earth minerals, oil, and gas as well as multiple in-demand raw materials for green technology  including lithium and graphite, both of which are needed to produce electric vehicle batteries.

Trump and the US is also interested in the Panama canal which serves as a shortcut between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea and, beyond that, the Atlantic Ocean in the process shortening shipping routes from Asia to ports in the eastern U.S.

The canal was built by the U.S. between 1904 and 1914, it was first managed by the US government before the US signed an agreement with Panama in the 1970s agreeing to the permanent neutrality of the canal. The US however only relinquished control of the canal to the Panama canal Authority in 1999.

The US is seeking to reestablish control of the canal which provides a route for about 40% of U.S. container shipping after alleging the canal is currently being controlled by China, an allegation both Panama and China have denied.