US Vice President JD Vance’s trip to Greenland on Friday highlights growing interest from the United States in acquiring the semi-autonomous Danish territory.
Why does the US want to acquire Greenland?
This interest is driven by Greenland’s strategic location and its wealth of natural resources. Greenland is crucial for the US ballistic missile warning system, situated along the shortest route from Europe to North America.
Washington has shown increasing interest in expanding its military presence on the island. It plans to enhance radar capabilities to monitor the waters between Greenland, Iceland, and Britain—a strategic gateway for Russian naval vessels and nuclear submarines. President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed his determination to take over Greenland, emphasising the island’s potential to support the US economy with its ample supply of rare earth minerals.
Current US Presence on the Island
The US military has maintained a presence at the Pituffik air base in northwest Greenland since a 1951 agreement with Denmark allowed the US to build military installations on the island. Under this agreement, the US can operate freely as long as Denmark and Greenland are informed.
Denmark has historically cooperated with the US due to its reliance on American security guarantees through NATO and its limited capability to defend Greenland independently. This close military relationship underscores the island’s geopolitical importance.
Greenland’s political status
Greenland, a former Danish colony, became a formal part of the Kingdom of Denmark in 1953. However, in 2009, it achieved broad self-governing autonomy, including the right to declare independence via referendum.
Greenland’s parliament, Inatsisartut, can initiate independence negotiations with Denmark, pending approval through a public referendum and consent from the Danish parliament. Jens-Frederik Nielsen, leader of the pro-business Democrats, has advocated for gradual independence while maintaining unity against US pressure.
What does Greenland want?
Relations between Greenland and Denmark have been tense due to historical grievances, but Trump’s interest in acquiring the island has spurred Denmark to improve ties with Greenland. While most of Greenland’s 57,000 inhabitants support independence, they are wary of the economic and social risks associated with rapid autonomy.
Greenland’s economy is heavily reliant on fishing and annual subsidies from Denmark, which cover about half of its public budget. Many Greenlanders fear that breaking away too quickly could result in economic hardship and increased reliance on the US.
Should Greenland pursue independence, it could seek a “free association” with the US, mirroring arrangements with the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau. This setup would replace Danish subsidies with US support in exchange for military rights.
Experts argue that Trump’s ambition to purchase Greenland disregards international law and the principle of self-determination, which grants the island’s residents the right to determine their political future.
Denmark’s on US pressure
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has firmly opposed Trump’s attempts to buy Greenland, labeling the idea “absurd.” While Denmark remains committed to close cooperation with the US, Frederiksen has emphasised that Greenland’s future should be decided by its people. She criticised the recent US visit as placing “unacceptable pressure” on Greenland and vowed to resist such tactics.
(With Reuters Inputs)