Trump wants control over Greenland: "Necessary"
US President-elect Donald Trump suggests that the US wants to control and possibly own Greenland.
"For national security and freedom throughout the world, the US believes that ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity," he writes in a post on his Truth Social platform.
Trump made a similar statement during his first term, when he said that the country wanted to buy Greenland and compared the purchase to "a major real estate deal."
The latest statement comes in connection with the appointment of entrepreneur Ken Howery, 49, as the future US ambassador to Denmark. Greenland is today a self-governing part of Denmark.
US President-elect Donald Trump suggests that the US wants to control and possibly own Greenland.
"For national security and freedom throughout the world, the US believes that ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity," he writes in a post on his Truth Social platform.
Trump made a similar statement during his first term, when he said that the country wanted to buy Greenland and compared the purchase to "a major real estate deal."
The latest statement comes in connection with the appointment of entrepreneur Ken Howery, 49, as the future US ambassador to Denmark. Greenland is today a self-governing part of Denmark.
Greenland on Trump's statement: "We are not for sale"
Greenland is not for sale. This is emphasized by several Greenlandic politicians after Donald Trump made it clear that he wants to “control and own” the self-governing Danish island.
“Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must not lose our long fight for freedom,” writes Greenlandic Prime Minister Múte Egede in a statement according to Reuters.
In a written comment to Danish TV2, Aki-Mathilda Høegh-Dam from the Siumut party emphasizes that Trump’s statement shows the strategic and global importance of the island.
“But it is important to emphasize that Greenland is not a commodity or a geostrategic trophy,” she writes.
Greenland has large amounts of rare earth minerals, which can be used to manufacture, for example, electric cars and wind turbines.
Greenland is not for sale. This is emphasized by several Greenlandic politicians after Donald Trump made it clear that he wants to “control and own” the self-governing Danish island.
“Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must not lose our long fight for freedom,” writes Greenlandic Prime Minister Múte Egede in a statement according to Reuters.
In a written comment to Danish TV2, Aki-Mathilda Høegh-Dam from the Siumut party emphasizes that Trump’s statement shows the strategic and global importance of the island.
“But it is important to emphasize that Greenland is not a commodity or a geostrategic trophy,” she writes.
Greenland has large amounts of rare earth minerals, which can be used to manufacture, for example, electric cars and wind turbines.
Experts: “The US sees Greenland as part of North America”
Donald Trump’s statement about controlling Greenland is a way for the incoming president to show strength and protect American interests. This is what Dag Blanck, professor of North American studies, tells DN.
– He believes that something is important and therefore he thinks that the US should have control over it, says Blanck.
The interest in Greenland is partly due to the large reserves of rare minerals, but also to the fact that the island is close to the US, which makes it a matter of national security, writes Danish TV2.
– We often forget it in Denmark, but Greenland is not in Europe. It is part of North America and that is how the Americans see Greenland, says Martin Breum, a journalist with a focus on the Arctic.
Analysis: Not the Christmas Gift Frederiksen Wanted
Donald Trump's statements about American control of the Panama Canal and Greenland are a "calculated demonstration of power" and a signal that he is back on the world stage with full force, writes TV2's US correspondent Celina Liv Danielsen in an analysis.
She writes that the incoming president wants to build up his image as a tough negotiator, and that the move about Greenland is a way to pressure Denmark into a better deal for the US.
"It is a clear indication that Trump is not just back - he is ready to set the agenda".
Danish journalist Martin Breum tells Danmarks Radio that Greenland is of great geopolitical importance to the US and that Donald Trump clearly thinks that current relations with Denmark and the self-governing Danish island are insufficient.
Greenlandic and Danish politicians now face an “extremely complicated diplomatic task,” says Breum, adding that it took time to repair the relationship when Trump launched a similar proposal in 2019.
– This is not the Christmas present that Nuuk (the capital of Greenland, editor’s note) and Mette Frederiksen had hoped for.
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