Why does Donald Trump care about Greenland?

US President-elect Donald Trump since his election victory has reiterated statements that Greenland must become part of the United States. Greenland is mostly covered by ice - the world's largest island alone, some 56,000 inhabitants. This territory is rich in raw materials and important strategic positions in the North Atlantic. It has belonged to Denmark for 600 years, and enjoys extensive autonomy. So far, Greenland has given up full independence.

Donald Trump at press conference at his residence in Florida, Mar a Lago. Photo: Evan Vucci/ AP Photo/picture alliance

What do you want? Trump?

Just before Christmas Trump again opened the discussion about Greenland. The U.S. is the opinion, that “in the interest of national security and freedom in the world” is a “docundosolity absolute”, possess and control Greenland, the next president said. With this republican refers to his failed attempt during his first term by proposing in 2019 to buy Groenanda.

His son, Trump Jr. visited (07.01.2025) the island, as it was communicated during a private trip. On the same day Trump Senior gave a press conference at his residence in Florida. In his statement he did not rule out even military steps or economic obligation to establish control over Greenland and Panama Canal. This is a deal, to be implemented”, Trump said.

Can I buy Trump Greenland?

Once again, a president of the United States wanted to buy Greenland: Harry Truman, after the Second World War, over 100,000 dollars. Even then the Danish government refused. For his proposal to purchase the island in 2019 Trump received a firm refusal by Denmark and Greenland. The reactions were similar at present. “Groenlanda belongs to us. We are not on sale and we will never go on sale”, said the island's prime minister, Muté Egede. In his speech on the new year's occasion, however, Greenland's prime minister voiced independence from Danimara.

What could happen to Greenland's independence?

Greenland has been a Danish colony since 1953 and is now a self - administration territory within the kingdom. Since 2009, the island has the right to hold a referendum on declaring independence. If that happens, Greenland can decide for a rapper with the US in the form of an association agreement similar to the Marshall Islands, Micronesine and Palaun in the Pacific.

Most of the island's residents, though they want independence in the context of economic dependence on Denmark and the EU, are sceptical. In the spring of Greenland, regular parliamentary elections are held. Independence from Denmark is an important topic in the electoral campaign.

What does Trump Greenland and its inhabitants offer?

Trump promises Greenland and its 56,000 residents protection, even though he has never been expressed for his motives. Economically and in terms of this geopoliticality would increase influence over the region rich with raw materials. Right now, with the melting of layers of ice and the appearance of underground wealth, Russia and China are increasingly trying to lift their claims. The US, with Alaska's federal state near Árctik since 1951, has an aviation base in northwest Greenland.

Political science professor at Kiln, Thomas Jäger in an interview for private NTV television, has expressed another possible thought that Trump could have: “could be imagined, that Trump wants to put himself in the order of traditional presidents who have obviously expanded territory in the 19th century U.S. and then bought Alaska. That would really make it a big president. ”

But since Greenland, the largest island of the world is still bigger than Germany is looking for a small country. Denmark? Geographically, the island is clearly located in North America, the northwest end of Greenland is right next to the coast of Canada.

Denmark, in turn, is more than 3,000km from Greenland, and between them are Iceland and a part of Norway. There has been a lot of conflict, but at the end of the Danish win, and eventually Greenland and the ice passed on to Danimarkge.

Greenland was once green

Greenland is called green country. Because even if it can't be disfigured today, since 85 percent of the island is in an ice layer once in Greenland it's been very warm. Researchers have found a trace DNA trees, butterflies and other insects. In the past 450,000 to 900,000 years, Greenland has been covered by dense forests.

The ice sheet, which still has a quarter of about 8,000 feet, is getting less because glaciers melt. And that's all there is to it, much rain, and that increases the melting of glaciers. Researchers have calculated that the sea level in the bottom would increase more than seven feet, in case all Greenland's ice melted away.

A few people, no way.

Today in Greenland they're just beach-free coastal generations. Mostly on the Western coast, climate thanks to the round of Golftrim is more appropriate for life. Most villages and the capital of Nuuk are also located here. It has 18,000 inhabitants and is the largest city of Groenand. A total of 56,000 people live on the island and the density of the population is lower in the world. Only in the Arctic live a little more people than in Greenland.

There are no roads and railways left to connect towns and villages. There are roads between cities, but they end up on the outskirts of the city. Moving from one city to another residents of Greenland to plane plane plane, ships, helicopters, burmons or dog sleighs.

With the change of climate in Greenland can change something. A little ice on this island means even more than living for people. Ice melting releases all money, which are protected: Another oil, rare minerals, natural gas and uranium.

Soon the hunt will begin for such elements. And the president-elect of the US as a businessman has a strong sense of anything like that. / DW