The United States has laid its eyes on the land of ice and snow, claiming national security is to blame for the shift in focus. President Donald Trump is not the first to want to buy the island, now a territory of Denmark. Whatever one thinks of Trump’s interest, it has certainly provoked a lively, at times exciting, diplomatic debate. He recommended that, if Denmark really does have a claim on Greenland, it should renounce it. This unexpected turn of events has created a sense of anxiety among the residents, who see U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks as harbingers of bad news.
Greenland’s strategic importance rests on its geographical location and wealth of natural resources. Scientists assert the island holds one of the largest reserves of untapped oil, gas, and rare earth minerals. Fully tapping into these resources would be a tremendous gift to the United States.
“It’s an island … that we need,” – Donald Trump
“There could be trillions of dollars’ worth of minerals and oil and gas and other types of … precious minerals that could be of value to the United States,” – Moore
The affair then took an unexpected diplomatic turn when the U.S. Second Lady, Usha Vance, scheduled an official visit to Greenland. She would be joined by the national security adviser, rubber-stamping dangerous escalation. Originally sold as a trip to stay among the locals, the schedule quickly turned into one day at a military expeditionary task force. The new itinerary underscores the increased tensions with and the oddity of this ongoing controversy over the possible annexation of Greenland by the United States.
What Usha Vance vividly remembers about landing in Greenland to attend the Avannaata Qimussersua dog sled race. This event would be a dynamic, exciting opportunity for cultural exchange. This plan backfired after locals allegedly expressed scant enthusiasm for welcoming Vance and her congressional cohort Mike Waltz. The reluctance is blamed on this gratuitous circus, which has made DC residents understandably suspicious of the U.S.’s motives.
Greenland’s citizens, equipped with internet access, are well-informed about President Trump’s statements regarding their island. The locals have seen the comments as a very real threat, pouring gas on the growing fire of discord between Greenland and the United States.
“I’ve been told that for a long time, long before I even ran [for president]. People really don’t even know that Denmark has any legal right to it, but if they do, they should give it up because we need it for national security.” – Donald Trump
Until today, the U.S. administration had provided very little detail about security plans for the upcoming papal visit. This lack of transparency only compounds the uncertainty surrounding the trip. The downgraded visit is clearly an effort to limit the diplomatic damage, but continuing to court Greenland underscores a broader strategic interest.