What’s new

President-elect Donald Trump is again proposing that the United States buy Greenland, an autonomous territory that has been part of Denmark for more than 600 years. And once again, experts explain why Trump is unable to implement what he considers an “absolute necessity” for America.

“Here we go again,” said Malte Humpert, senior fellow at the Arctic Institute and its founder Newsweek on Monday. “This idea remains just as ridiculous as it was in 2019.”

Why this is important

Greenland has access to the Arctic, where international competition has emerged in recent years as nations vie to claim northern territory in hopes of gaining access to the region’s abundant natural resources such as gold, silver, copper and uranium receive.

The US has tried to acquire Greenland four times in the past, most recently in 2019 when Trump first floated the idea.

In recent weeks, Trump has also proposed making Canada the 51st U.S. state and referred to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the “governor” of the “Great State of Canada.”

Which country owns Greenland?

Greenland, home to 56,000 residents, has been part of Denmark since the 18th century, but was granted self-government in 1979 and has been a self-governing state since 2009. Nevertheless, Denmark contributes two thirds to the budget of Greenland and its association. With the largest island in the world that is not a continent, Greenland has been able to receive funding from the European Union.

Although the island is self-governing, it is home to a large US military base.

In addition to Trump, the Democrats have also proposed buying Greenland. President Harry Truman offered to buy Denmark for $100 million in gold in 1946.

What you should know

While announcing Sunday that he had chosen PayPal co-founder Ken Howery to be the U.S. ambassador to Denmark, Trump wrote on Truth Social: “For reasons of national security and freedom around the world, the United States of America is the View that ownership and…control of Greenland is an absolute necessity.”

Marc Jacobsen, who researches and advises on security policy and diplomacy in the Arctic, told the story Newsweek“While Trump’s rhetoric and choice of words are ‘unique,’ his interest in Greenland reflects U.S. historical interest focused on geostrategic location and mineral resources.”

He continued: “Deteriorating relations with China, Russia and other countries are currently reinforcing Greenland’s geostrategic importance, while Greenland’s vast deposits of rare earth elements are particularly interesting due to their potential use in modern technologies.”

Jacobsen, who is also an associate professor at the Royal Danish Defense College, said it was worth noting how Greenland responded to Trump’s purchase idea. While in 2019 it was seen as a “neo-colonial provocation,” this time it was seen as an “opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations between Greenland and the United States,” Jacobsen said.

“Thanks to the 2019 idea – and increased American attention to the Arctic – Greenland experienced greater agency in international politics,” he said. “This is important for Greenland in its quest for independence. Today, several Greenlandic politicians say that, of course, Greenland is not for sale, but they are very interested in strengthening relations with the US, especially in a way that can improve the Greenlandic economy.”

What did Trump say about Greenland?

In 2019, Trump told reporters: “We are very good allies with Denmark. We protect Denmark, just as we protect large parts of the world. So the concept came about and I said, ‘That would definitely be me.’ Strategically it’s interesting and we would be interested, but we’ll talk to them a little bit. It’s not number 1 to date, I can tell you that.

“Essentially it’s a big real estate deal. There’s a lot that can be done,” he said of buying in Greenland.

After his comments were widely criticized by Danish officials, Trump announced he was canceling his planned meeting with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who called Trump’s proposal “an absurd discussion.”

What people say

Humpert said Newsweek: “Instead of focusing on grandiose and unrealistic plans to purchase sovereign territories, the new Trump administration should turn its focus to helping the U.S. strengthen its presence in the Arctic by finally expanding the U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker program adequately funded and barriers to the acquisition of foreign-built icebreakers removed.” .”

Howery wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “I know firsthand the power of diplomacy to advance American interests and strengthen alliances, and I am grateful for the opportunity to return to Europe to advance the President’s agenda. “I look forward to working with the dedicated teams at the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen and U.S. Consulate Nuuk in Greenland to deepen the bonds between our countries.”

Republicans against Trump, posted on X: “Donald Trump suggested taking over Greenland when he announced Ken Howery as his choice for U.S. ambassador to Denmark. Trump isn’t even in office yet and we’re already becoming the laughing stock of the world.”

What’s next?

Greenland Prime Minister Múte Bourup Egede responded to Trump’s comments on Monday, saying in a statement: “Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must not lose our long fight for freedom.”

What did Trump say about the Panama Canal?

In other remarks earlier in the weekend, Trump called on Panamanian authorities to reduce fees on U.S. ships or risk the U.S. regaining control of the Panama Canal. The Central American country gained ownership of the canal in 1999 following a treaty signed in 1979.

“If the moral and legal principles of this generous gesture of giving are not followed, we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us in full and without question,” Trump wrote in a series of lengthy Truth Social posts on Saturday.

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino responded to Trump’s comments by saying: “Every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent zones is and will continue to be part of Panama.”