In 2019, Donald Trump's plans to annex Greenland were interpreted as just another extravagance. This time, his return to the White House invites us to take the threat seriously. There's a lot of talk, but it's as yet uncertain how the world's leading power intends to seize this area of 2.1 million square kilometers, almost four times the size of France, with its population of 57,000.
"Greenland is a wonderful place. We need it for international security. And I’m sure that Denmark will come along − it’s costing them a lot of money to maintain it, to keep it," said Trump in the wake of his inauguration. In other words, the territory is full of raw materials, enjoys a strategic geographic location and the US has the means to twist the arm of the power behind it, a small kingdom that will find it hard to oppose him.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen didn't seem convinced. A few days ago, she received an acrimonious call from Trump, described as "horrible" by senior European officials, in which she explained that the territory was not for sale. Trump did not rule out resorting to using force to achieve his ends against a staunch ally and NATO member.
To satisfy his "need" for Greenland, Trump is behaving like a polar bear in a china shop. It all began in early January when his son, Donald Trump Jr, made a trip to the capital, Nuuk. After handing out a few MAGA ("Make America Great Again") caps, he served a hot meal to a handful of poor souls who had been recruited to watch a video in which his father explained that America would take care of them and cheer in response. The tour ended with a souvenir photo in front of a statue of Hans Egede, the Danish founder of the town who evangelized the region in the 18th century.
Colonization has not left the Inuit people with fond memories, far from it. But at a time when a process of self-determination is underway, this distribution of MAGA merchandise, as if the US were already on conquered territory, does not augur well in terms of respect for the Indigenous people. Nor does Trump's concomitant decision to rename North America's highest mountain, Alaska's Mount Denali, to Mount McKinley. Former president Barack Obama had debaptized it in 2015 as a tribute to Indigenous history. At least the Inuit know where they stand.
You have 58.32% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.
Seattle_gldr_rdr on January 28th, 2025 at 16:27 UTC »
I think he's serious about taking territory eventually, but the the first order of business is eradicating any opposition within the US military. By ordering planning for something insane like invading Panama and Greenland, he will quickly smoke out the senior officers who will object or resign. Once this purge is complete, then the business of "annexing" territory can begin.
Due-Resort-2699 on January 28th, 2025 at 16:02 UTC »
In every other western nation, if the leader of the country was to act in the way Trump is, not only would there be mass protests to get them to reign , their own party would turn against them and force them from office .
The sheer tribalism in US politics is baffling . Trump could burn a puppy alive and the Republicans would find some way to defend it. It’s nuts.
justwalk1234 on January 28th, 2025 at 15:40 UTC »
I'm pretty shocked to see how OK it is for America to just take another sovereign territory. Where is this attitude when Russia is taking Ukraine, or when talking about China and Taiwan? And why is it geopolitically different?