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Greenland is the world’s largest island and is located between North America and Europe.
In 2019, President Donald Trump first expressed interest in buying Greenland, a large island located between the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. Why would a United States president want to purchase Greenland? This question reveals several reasons based on political, economic and strategic interests.
“Greenland is located in the North Atlantic, off the Eastern side of the U.S., making it an ideal strategic base.” – Dr. Carl Cavalli, University of North Georgia political science professor
Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark and has vast natural resources, including minerals, oil and gas. These resources could be very valuable. As climate change continues, new shipping routes could potentially open in the Arctic, making Greenland even more important for trade. This builds interest for the U.S. because of the need for these resources to help the country become less dependent on foreign assets.
Another reason for Trump’s interest in Greenland could be related to military strategy. The island is a key position in the Arctic, which makes it a vital spot for defense.
Carl Cavalli, political science professor at the University of North Georgia, said, “You could argue that Greenland is strategically important for the military, much like Hawaii is in the Pacific. It’s a largely undeveloped territory that may contain significant natural resources.”
By having control over Greenland, the U.S. could strengthen its military presence in the Arctic and improve its national security.
There are economic advantages to acquiring Greenland as well, such as new opportunities for business. The island has the potential for exploration through fishing and mining, which could create more jobs and generate additional income for the United States. Trump has recently expressed his interest in creating more jobs and expanding businesses and Greenland could be included in these plans of development.
Trump’s desire to buy Greenland could also be used as a way to add to his legacy.
“This is actually a strategy Trump has used frequently,” Cavalli said. “He overwhelms the public with a rapid series of actions and statements, leaving little time to react. He’s throwing out ideas like buying Greenland or talking about border issues, not just as policy, but to keep opponents off balance. It’s both a strategic and political move to control the narrative and stay ahead of criticism.”
Despite Trump’s push to buy the island, the Danish government was reluctant to sell, no matter what Trump had to offer them. They stated that they would not be accepting this proposal and that “Greenland is not for sale.” Greenland’s leadership claims that selling the island does not align with their goals as a territory and their desire to maintain their cultural identity.
“This is where sovereignty becomes important. In cases like Greenland, the people have made it clear that their voices should come first,” Cavalli said. “Ethical concerns arise when powerful nations ignore local wishes and try to take control, which goes against principles of democracy, independence and freedom.”
Trump’s idea to buy Greenland highlighted the broader topic of Arctic geopolitics. Although the sale was never processed, the discussion of this topic opened conversations about Arctic resources and how they could be valuable to the U.S. This also relates to the importance of having international relations with other countries.
Trump’s interest in Greenland emphasizes the thought process behind some of his decisions as president, highlighting his focus on national security, economic potential and his political legacy. As Trump continues to bargain with Greenland’s leadership, the future of this island continues to be a notable part of international dialogues.