By Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen, Louise Rasmussen and Stine Jacobsen
COPENHAGEN (Reuters) – U.S. President-elect Donald Trump says he wants Greenland to be part of the United States and has not ruled out using his military or economic power to get Denmark to hand it over.
WHY DOES TRUMP WANT GREENLAND?
Greater control over Greenland could be useful to the United States because of its strategic location and resources. It is located on the shortest route from Europe to North America, vital for the United States’ ballistic missile warning system.
The United States has expressed interest in expanding its military presence, including placing radars there to monitor the waters between the island, Iceland and Britain, which are a gateway for Russian navy ships and nuclear submarines.
The island, whose capital Nuuk is closer to New York than the Danish capital Copenhagen, has minerals, oil and wealth, but development has been slow.
A 2023 survey showed that 25 of 34 minerals considered “critical raw materials” by the European Commission were found in Greenland. They include materials used in batteries such as graphite and lithium, and so-called rare earth elements used in electric vehicles and wind turbines.
Greenland has banned the extraction of oil and natural gas for environmental reasons, and the development of its mining sector has been hampered by bureaucracy and opposition from indigenous peoples.
This has made Greenland’s economy dependent on fishing, which accounts for more than 95% of exports, and annual subsidies from Denmark, which cover about half of the public budget. In total, Denmark spends just under $1 billion each year in Greenland, or $17,500 for each of its 57,000 residents.
WHAT PRESENCE DOES THE US HAVE IN GREENLAND NOW?
The US military maintains a permanent presence at Pituffik Air Base in northwest Greenland.
A 1951 agreement between the United States and Denmark established the right of the United States to build military bases in Greenland and move forces freely in its territory as long as Denmark and Greenland are notified.
Denmark has historically hosted the U.S. military in Greenland because Copenhagen does not have the ability to defend the vast island itself and because of U.S. security guarantees to Denmark through the NATO alliance, Kristian Soeby Kristensen said. Senior researcher at the Center for Military Affairs, University of Copenhagen. Studies.
WHAT IS THE CURRENT SITUATION OF GREENLAND?
Greenland has been controlled by Denmark for centuries, previously as a colony and now as a semi-sovereign territory under the Danish kingdom. It is subject to the Danish constitution, meaning that any change to its legal status would require a constitutional amendment.
In 2009, the island was granted extensive self-governance, including the right to declare independence from Denmark through a referendum.
Prime Minister Mute Egede, who has stepped up his independence efforts, has repeatedly said the island is not for sale and that it is up to its people to decide its future.
Decades ago, the United States, under then-President Harry Truman, attempted to purchase the island as a strategic asset during the Cold War for $100 million in gold, but Copenhagen refused to sell it.
Trump offered to buy it during his first term in 2019, but both Greenland and Denmark rejected the proposal.
WHAT DOES GREENLAND WANT?
Relations between Greenland and Denmark have become strained following revelations of the historical misappropriation of Greenlanders under colonial rule. Most Greenlanders support independence but are divided over the timing and potential impact on living standards.
Greenlandic politicians have repeatedly said since 2019 that they are interested in strengthening cooperation and trade with the United States.
However, Aaja Chemnitz, a Greenlandic member of the Danish parliament, said the idea of a US takeover should be firmly rejected. “I don’t want to be a pawn in Trump’s dreams of expanding his empire to include our country,” he wrote.
WHAT IF GREENLAND GETS INDEPENDENCE?
If Greenland becomes independent, it could choose to associate with the United States in ways that stop short of becoming a U.S. territory.
While Greenlanders want independence, they are well aware of their economic dependence on Denmark. One option could be to form a so-called “free association” with the United States that would replace Danish subsidies with American support and protection in exchange for military rights, similar to the status of the Pacific island nations the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau.
“Greenland is talking about becoming independent from Denmark, but no Greenlander wants to simply switch to a new colonial master,” said Ulrik Pram Gad, a senior researcher and expert on Greenland, who said Greenlanders would likely seek to secure their future well-being before any vote for independence.
WHAT DOES DENMARK SAY?
Trump’s 2019 offer to buy the island was firmly rejected by Denmark and called “absurd” by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. Asked about Trump’s renewed interest this week, Frederiksen said: “We need very close cooperation with the Americans.”
He added: “On the other hand, I would like to encourage everyone to respect that Greenlanders are a people, it is their country, and only Greenland can determine and define the future of Greenland.”