By Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen, Louise Rasmussen and Stine Jacobsen
COPENHAGEN (Reuters) -U.S. President-elect Donald Trump says he desires to make Greenland part of america and doesn’t rule out utilizing navy or financial energy to get Denmark handy it over.
WHY DOES TRUMP WANT GREENLAND?
Better management over Greenland may very well be helpful to america for its strategic location and its assets. It lies alongside the shortest route from Europe to North America, very important for the U.S. ballistic missile warning system.
America has expressed curiosity in increasing its navy presence, together with inserting radars there to watch the waters between the island, Iceland and Britain, that are a gateway for Russian navy vessels and nuclear submarines.
The island, whose capital Nuuk is nearer to New York than the Danish capital Copenhagen, boasts mineral, oil and wealth, however growth has been sluggish.
A 2023 survey confirmed that 25 of 34 minerals deemed “critical raw materials” by the European Fee have been present in Greenland. They embrace supplies utilized in batteries similar to graphite and lithium, and so-called uncommon earth parts utilized in electrical automobiles and wind generators.
Greenland has banned extraction of oil and pure gasoline for environmental causes, and growth of its mining sector has been snarled in purple tape and opposition from indigenous individuals.
This has stored Greenland’s financial system reliant on fishing, which accounts for over 95% of exports, and annual subsidies from Denmark, which cowl roughly half of the general public funds. In complete, Denmark spends slightly below $1 billion annually on Greenland, or $17,500 for every of its 57,000 residents.
WHAT PRESENCE DOES THE U.S. HAVE IN GREENLAND NOW?
The U.S. navy maintains a everlasting presence on the Pituffik air base in Greenland’s northwest.
A 1951 settlement between america and Denmark established america’ proper to assemble navy bases in Greenland and transfer forces freely on its territory so long as Denmark and Greenland are notified.
Traditionally, Denmark has accommodated the U.S. navy in Greenland as a result of Copenhagen doesn’t have the potential to defend the huge island itself, and due to U.S. safety ensures to Denmark by the NATO alliance, stated Kristian Soeby Kristensen, senior researcher at Copenhagen College’s Centre for Navy Research.
WHAT IS GREENLAND’S STATUS NOW?
Greenland has been managed by Denmark for hundreds of years, beforehand as a colony and now as a semi-sovereign territory below the Danish realm. It’s topic to the Danish structure, which means any change to its authorized standing would require a constitutional modification.
In 2009, the island was granted broad self-governing autonomy, together with the proper to declare independence from Denmark by a referendum.
Prime Minister Mute Egede, who has stepped up a push for independence, has repeatedly stated the island just isn’t on the market and that it’s as much as its individuals to resolve their future.
A long time in the past, the U.S. below then-President Harry Truman sought to purchase the island as a strategic asset through the Chilly Battle for $100 million in gold, however Copenhagen declined to promote.
Trump provided to purchase it throughout his first time period in 2019 however each Greenland and Denmark rejected the proposal.
WHAT DOES GREENLAND WANT?
Relations between Greenland and Denmark have been strained following revelations of historic mistreament of Greenlanders below colonial rule. A majority of Greenland’s inhabitants assist independence, however they’re divided over the timing and potential influence on residing requirements.
Greenlandic politicians have since 2019 repeatedly stated they’re focused on strengthening cooperation and commerce with america.
Nonetheless, Aaja Chemnitz, a Greenlandic member of the Danish parliament, stated the concept of a U.S. takeover ought to be firmly rejected. “I don’t want to be a pawn in Trump’s hot dreams of expanding his empire to include our country,” she wrote.
WHAT IF GREENLAND BECOMES INDEPENDENT?
If Greenland turns into impartial, it may select to develop into related to america in ways in which cease in need of changing into U.S. territory.
Whereas Greenlanders need independence, they’re nicely conscious of their financial reliance on Denmark. One possibility may very well be to type a so-called “free association” with america that will change Danish subsidies with U.S. assist and safety in return for navy rights, just like the standing of Pacific island nations Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau.
“Greenland is talking about becoming independent from Denmark, but no Greenlanders want to just switch to a new colonial master,” stated Ulrik Pram Gad, a senior researcher and skilled on Greenland, who stated Greenlanders would in all probability intention to make sure their future welfare earlier than any vote for independence.
WHAT DOES DENMARK SAY?
Trump’s 2019 provide to purchase the island was firmly rejected by Denmark and labelled as “absurd” by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. When requested about Trump’s renewed curiosity this week, Frederiksen stated: “We need very close cooperation with the Americans.”
She added: “On the other hand, I would like to encourage everyone to respect that the Greenlanders are a people, it is their country, and only Greenland can determine and define Greenland’s future.”
