US will Acquire Greenland ‘Whether They Like It or Not’, Trump Boasts

•Greenland’s political parties reject planned acquisition

Basking in the euphoria of the successful invasion of Venezuela and the capture of its President, Nicolas Maduro, the United States President, Mr. Donald Trump, has said Denmark would transfer Greenland “the easy way” or “the hard way”.

But in swift reaction, political parties in Greenland have firmly rejected Trump’s renewed suggestions to seize the Arctic Island, declaring that they do not want to become Americans.

Greenland is an autonomous territory within Denmark, having transitioned from colonial status in 1953 to home rule in 1979, and expanded self-government in 2009.

Denmark retains control over foreign affairs, defence, and monetary policy, while Greenland manages internal matters like education and health.

While Russia and China have stepped up their presence in the Arctic in recent years, neither country has laid claim to Greenland.

Denmark and several European allies have expressed shock at Trump’s remarks. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that any invasion of Greenland would end “everything,” referring to the transatlantic NATO defence pact and the post-World War II security order.

 Trump had repeatedly expressed his desire to acquire Greenland, stating that the Danish-administered Arctic Island is “critical” for national and economic security.

He mulled the idea during his first term in 2019 and made an offer to buy the island, only to be told it was not for sale.

At the weekend, Trump said the US will acquire Greenland “whether they like it or not” because “if we don’t do it, China or Russia will”.

Trump argued that US control of Greenland was vital for national security, citing increased military activity by Russia and China in the Arctic.

“We’re not going to have Russia or China occupy Greenland. That’s what they’re going to do if we don’t. So, we’re going to be doing something with Greenland, either the nice way or the more difficult way,” he said.

“Ownership” is necessary, Trump said, because “you don’t defend leases the same way — you have to own it”, he added.

The remarks came just three days after Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, said military action was “always an option” in taking control of Greenland.

Greenland has reiterated that it is not for sale. Denmark, a long-time US ally, has also said Greenland is not for sale, insisting that the island belongs to its inhabitants.

In a joint statement on Friday night, Greenland’s party leaders, including the opposition, reiterated their call for the “US’s disregard for our country to end”.

“We do not want to be Americans, we do not want to be Danes, we want to be Greenlanders. The future of Greenland must be decided by the Greenlandic people,” they said.

Concerns over the future of Greenland resurfaced after the US invaded Venezuela on the penultimate Saturday and captured President Maduro in a military operation.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is to hold talks with Denmark next week.

The US has acquired land from other countries multiple times throughout its history, primarily through purchases, treaties, annexations, and cessions.

Alaska was purchased from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million, and Louisiana from France in 1803 for $15 million.