Why Does Trump Want Greenland?

Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with a strong sense of national identity and self-determination. But the icy island also holds a growing strategic importance due to its location within the GIUK gap, a critical naval chokepoint. 

Enter US President-Elect Donald Trump, who sees an opening to acquire the Danish territory.

Here are the major points to know --

Greenland's Political Status and Strategic Significance:

• Autonomy within Denmark: Greenland is a self-ruling territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. As stated by Greenland's Prime Minister Múte Egede, "Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland... Our future and fight for independence is our business." 
• Political Leadership: Greenland has shifted from being governed by a Governor (1728–1730, 1925–1979) and an Inspector (1782–1924) to being led by a Prime Minister (1979-current). This illustrates Greenland's growing autonomy.
• Economic Structure: Greenland's economy is diverse, including "fishing industry," "mining," and "tourism." It uses the "Krone" as currency.
• Strategic Importance: Greenland's geographical position within the GIUK gap is crucial. It's "a crucial naval chokepoint between Greenland, Iceland and the U.K. that was closely watched during the Cold War." Russian submarine activity in the area has also increased in recent years, making the region relevant to contemporary security concerns.

Recent Commentary on Potential U.S. Interest:

• Rejection of Sale: Both Greenland and Denmark have made it clear that Greenland is not for sale. Múte Egede's statement above clearly rejects the idea of the island being negotiated.
• Tariff Threats: Donald Trump is threatening "tariffs on Denmark at a very high level" if Denmark refuses to cede Greenland to the United States. This indicates the level of pressure and controversy around such an issue.
• Potential Economic Ramifications: According to one of the sources, this type of action could hurt access to specific items including popular medicines.

Historical Context: U.S. Territorial Expansion:

• Dispute-Driven Expansion: The history of the United States is marked by numerous territorial disputes, often with Native American nations and neighboring European powers, including Spain, France and the U.K.
• Purchases: The Louisiana Purchase (1803) and the Gadsden Purchase (1853).
• Cessions: Spain ceded Florida to the United States in 1821.
• Annexations: The occupation and annexation of West Florida from Spain in 1810-1813.
• Treaties: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848) concluded the Mexican–American War and ceded a significant amount of land to the United States.
• Military Conflict: The U.S. expanded through conflicts such as the War of 1812 and the Mexican-American War.
• Territorial Evolution: The US saw a complex evolution of its territories through numerous acts of congress. Areas went through different stages including "Unorganized" and "Territory" before becoming states.
• Border Adjustments: Numerous border disputes led to boundary changes between states and territories including the boundary of Missouri and Iowa which led to the Honey War which was ultimately resolved by the Supreme Court.
• Guano Islands Act: The US claimed a large number of islands in the Caribbean and Pacific under the Guano Islands Act which allowed for the US to claim uninhabited islands to harvest the fertilizer.

Greenland's future is primarily determined by the will of the Greenlandic people. While historical U.S. expansion provides a backdrop for understanding potential interests, the current political climate makes such an acquisition unlikely in the face of Greenland's desire for self-determination.