Greenland: The New Frontier on Trump's Expansion Agenda
- by Goofy The Gonzo
- 3 Mins
Trump estimates Greenland's potential acquisition price - Trump estimates the financial figure for acquiring Greenland
Donald Trump is dead set on nabbing Greenland, no matter the cost. The U.S. President even threw military threats into the mix when things got heated.
The White House is currently number-crunching to see how much it'd cost to snag the Greenlandic territory, according to the US newspaper "Washington Post", quoting three insiders privy to the matter. This seems like the most serious attempt yet to make Trump's island-grabbing dreams a reality. They're considering cost factors such as the maintenance overheads and potential profits from exploiting the natural resources.
Greenland technically falls under the Kingdom of Denmark but enjoys a substantial degree of autonomy. About 58,000 folks call it home. In recent times, Trump's been making noises about asserting control over the world's biggest island, citing national or international security as his reasons. Global leaders have been left dumbfounded. Mette Frederiksen, Greenland's newly elected prime minister, flat out dismissed Trump's claims.
Greenland: Not Just a Pretty Face, But a Strategic Crown Jewel
Pompeo, US Secretary of State, paid a visit to Brussels and emphasized that respecting self-determination is key. Yet, he couldn't help but drop a hint about Greenland's true feelings towards Denmark – apparently, it's not a love match. According to Pompeo, Denmark should brace itself for Greenland wanting to break free. He sounds hopeful that Greenland will make a move soon. "If they decide to switch teams, then the US could be ready to step in and dance with them," Pompeo said.
On the weekend, Trump admitted they'd get Greenland – "100 percent." When asked whether they'd take it by force, Trump didn't rule it out but played coy, stating it could happen without military intervention. However, he didn't mince words about the strategic importance of Greenland and his belief that the Greenlanders would thrive better under US protection from Arctic threats.
US officials are currently drafting a plan for the takeover, taking into account the assumption that Greenlanders would back the deal. One option under consideration is to outbid Denmark by offering more to Greenland's government. Denmark spends around $600 million per year to subsidize services on the island, and the US is considering offering more, a White House official told the "Washington Post".
The American Action Forum, a right-leaning think tank, puts the value of Greenland's land resources at $200 billion. They also place the strategic worth of the island at a staggering $3 trillion.
Trump hinted at his appetite for foreign territories earlier into his second term when he talked about acquiring Canada and the Panama Canal, although grabbing Greenland seems to be the easiest target as far as the White House is concerned.
Outwardly, the US government appears optimistic about Greenland jumping ship from Denmark. However, a White House insider let the "Washington Post" in on a secret: they're currently brainstorming ways to make the US takeover appealing to the islanders.
Trump's deputy, J.D. Vance, recently paid Greenland a visit and portrayed himself as the islanders' knight in shining armor. "Our message to Denmark is clear. You haven't been doing a stellar job supporting the Greenlanders. You haven't invested enough in their wellbeing, and you haven't prepared enough for their defense. It's high time Russia or China didn't sneak in and grab this beautiful island," he chastised. According to Trump's rationale, he justified the takeover on the grounds of providing security guarantees against potential rivals from the East.
The US government reiterates that Greenland, with its natural resources and strategic location, would be a major score for the US. The island is packed with oil and rare earth deposits and sits on a critical chokepoint between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, close to shipping and military routes.
However, the economic benefits are a contentious issue. The extraction of minerals is considered costly, intricate, and not terribly productive. Critics view Trump's motives as a smokescreen for his expansionist ambitions.
- Despite the Kingdom of Denmark currently claiming Greenland, the United States is strategically considering acquiring Greenland, as overlooking its natural resources and critical location could yield potential profits and national security benefits.
- The US government is reportedly considering outbidding Denmark by offering more subsidies to Greenland's government, as the current Danish subsidies amount to around $600 million per year.
- Both Greenland, with its economic potential, and its strategic location between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, are seen as valuable crown jewels by the United States, and the Trump administration is reportedly brainstorming ways to make the US takeover appealing to the islanders.
