Big Dreams
As Donald J. Trump geared up for his inauguration as US president, there were a few things on his mind. Perhaps foremost – and most shocking – was his desire to drastically expand the territory of the United States. Some ambitions that he cited were the incorporation of Canada, Greenland, and the Panama Canal. He brought these topics up when he last ran for president in 2016, but they have taken new precedence in recent months. On paper, these plans seem ludicrous. However, one of these plots stands out as perhaps the most realistic: the annexation of Greenland.
Unassuming Appearance
Greenland is a large Arctic island in North America that is currently a territory of Denmark. Looking at it on a map, however, can often be deceiving. Most flat maps use the Mercator projection, popularized by Gerardus Mercator in 1569. In an attempt to transcribe the curvature of the earth’s surface on a flat piece of paper, it stretches out the area of land near the poles. This results in the gross enlargement of Greenland, it being so far north. It’s not entirely clear whether Trump is fooled by this illusion. However, he has referenced Greenland’s size in conversation with journalists, saying, “‘You take a look at a map. […] I love maps. And I always said: ‘Look at the size of this. It’s massive. That should be part of the United States.'” Now, Greenland is in fact a very large island. It’s just not quite as big as it appears. The other thing that you will note after a cursory inspection of Greenland is that it is, in essence, a huge sheet of ice and snow. There’s not a lot of vegetation, and there’s not a lot of people. The population is around fifty thousand, which is less than Fairfield, Connecticut. So why would Trump make Greenland’s acquisition such a big deal?
Hidden Value
Greenland is actually of surprising strategic and economic value to the US. Beneath the icy surface of the island lie troves of oil, gas, and rare earth metals. In addition to the obvious demand for oil in our energy industry, rare earth metals are vital for supplying and securing the transition to clean energy. The other enticing aspect about Greenland is not of the land beneath it, but the air above it. The Arctic region, particularly an area known as the Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom gap, has strategic importance in terms of the escalating tensions between the US and Russia. Controlling Greenland would essentially provide a forward base for early warning radar and other military technology, which could be bolstered by the rare earth metal deposits. All in all, it would be a pleasant addition to the United States.
Not So Fast
Before we start marching into Greenland and celebrating the induction of the 51st state, one would do well to remember a certain piece of information: Greenland belongs to Denmark, and Denmark has no plans to give it away. However, the option is mostly out of their hands. A provision in the laws of Denmark and Greenland allows the Greenlandic people to hold a referendum for independence at any time, and follow through with its results. In fact, the island’s indigenous population has been increasing calls for independence. Though, if Greenland were to secede from Denmark, the odds of their jumping right to another colonial ruler is slim. “‘We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must not lose our yearslong struggle for freedom,'” declared Mute Egede, the Prime Minister of Greenland. Egede is not likely to stand alone in his opposition, as global attitudes towards imperialism are at a low. Backlash to the 20th century European colonial age is still pervasive, and the world has already seen plenty of the dark side of colonialism. It’s a mystery why Trump believes that it’s the right time for this power play.
Your Move, Mr. President
The best strategy for Trump is likely to one-up the yearly $500 million payment from Denmark that Greenland subsists on, maybe offering a billion dollar annual deal. Greenland’s economy is based almost solely on fishing, and they might not be able to get by without their payout from Denmark. Even that might not be tempting enough to overcome the will of Greenland’s people. Regardless of what he comes up with, the integration of Greenland seems like a long shot. Trump is given to being fickle; it will be interesting to see how long he persists in this endeavor.
Works Cited
Fung, Katherine. “Does Trump Think Greenland Is Much Bigger Than It Is?” Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025, www.newsweek.com/mercator-projection-greenland-donald-trump-2011694.
Holland, Steve. “Trump looks to Greenland to cement his legacy and expand sphere of US influence.” Reuters, 9 Jan. 2025, www.reuters.com/world/trump-looks-greenland-cement-his-legacy-expand-sphere-us-influence-2025-01-09/.
Paddison, Laura. “Trump Wants to Buy Greenland Again. Here’s Why He’s so Interested in the World’s Largest Island | CNN.” CNN, 8 Jan. 2025, www.cnn.com/2025/01/07/climate/trump-greenland-climate/index.html.
