Donald Trump, the former president, gained recognition in August 2019, when he made an unexpected proposal. He offered to buy Greenland, the lavish Island that has tremendously abundant natural resources. Trump did address the query of purchasing this territory that otherwise raises huge questions regarding political ambitions, colonial overtones and practicality in today’s era. To begin with this article will highlight all the dimensions related to this saga ranging from diplomatic discussion to social media satire in regard to this purchase that International leaders widely condemned.
Underlining What Motivated The Proposal To Purchase
Alongside the US purchasing Alaska from Russia in 1867 and the Louisiana Territory back in 1803, America buying a property is not a new phenomenon. Since world war 2, greenland has been gaining recognition as a strategic military operational base for the US. Somewhat similar to Trump’s $100 million buyout offer during President Harry Truman’s era that ironclad Denmark raged against. Even today, the offer remains unimaginable for Denmark. Whether the United States can or will buy Greenland remains muted.
Rumor has it Trump has a range of unlooked for interests and resources within the island of greenland, which prompted him consult advisors regarding its unabated topical island possibilities.
Greenland is the largest island of the world, rich in minerals necessary for the modern technological marvels such as smartphones, electric vehicles and many more. Its geographic location in the Arctic is of strategic importance, especially when the ice caps begin to thaw, as new waterways also get opened up in this region.
The Public Disclosure
This story came in mid-august of 2019 when trump had shown intention of Purchase Greenland, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. The article further explained how Trump had previously mentioned the idea in a memorandum and casual discussion with potential advisors, including asking the legal team to check the possibility of such purchase. Trump confirmed the report a few minutes later, on taking questions at a press conference, described the proposal as “strategically interesting”.
The response was immediate and strong by Greenland, and then by Denmark, Many residents and leaders believed Denmark was solely responsible for the decision. As Kim Kielsen the Prime Minister of Greenland stressed that the island is autonomous and its people will make all future decisions “is not for sale”. Mette Frederiksen the Danish Prime Minister whose ideas upset Trump, later also declared Trump’s decision to pull out of a state visit, amplifying the diplomatic conflict, absurd.
Geopolitical Motivations
In order to make sense of Trump’s Interest in Greenland, its imperative to comprehend the geopolitical context.
Contentions between countries have increased in the Arctic region, and new tensions have emerged in the geopolitical landscape with the existing countries fighting for ownership of the natural resources available in the region. A bid to claim ownership of the Arctic has increased, allowing countries like China and Russia to make their presence in this region known. Compared to these countries, the U.S has faced a significant amount of criticism for neglecting the region and not making any efforts to expand its hold over the Arctic.
The U.S has managed to acquire Thule Air Base in Northern Greenland, which has helped expand the U.S arsenal in terms of military aid and allowed it to establish a stronger hold over the missile defense system. The same reason makes Greenland-effective as a military, and economic base, aiding to United States endeavors. If this region was acquired by the United States, combatting against Russia and China’s influence in the Arctic would have become substantially easier for them. In a similar sense, Trump would have been able to push forward his broader vision of ‘America First’ as the region is overflowing with natural resources aiding economic growth.
Despite receiving backlash for disregarding ethical and environmental concerns, the melting of ice has made access to few of the resources, such as oil, gas, and rare minerals, easier. Multiple countries, including China and Russia, have been able to make their presence known in the Arctic region and have also worked on expanding their base by creating investments: deeming the region valuable. In a contrasting fashion, the proposition to buy Greenland has faced a great deal of criticism and skepticism.
Critics were particularly harsh on Trump for attempting to turn a territory into a product that could be purchased like any other good, post colonialism slur. This notion was also heavily ridiculed on social media in the form of memes and jokes highlighting the ridiculousness of the notion.
Legislators within the US and analysts were quick to raise concerns regarding the legality of the purchase. As an autonomous state within the Danish Realm, the citizens of Greenland have the option to determine their future, which means they would have to provide consent in order to recolonization of the area. They also will not be able to proceed without the permission of Denmark. Further more, the estimated half a trillion dollars that would be used actually buying Greenland further raises concern.
Topics such as these gave rise to worries within Greenland. Even though some of the politicians hoped for an economic boom due to closer ties with the US, they still hoped to retain their autonomy and identity. The Inuit people in Greenland have a history of resisting dominance and have strong bonds with the land, making them a large population in Greenland.
Diplomatic Fallout
This whole incident portrayed Greenland in a new light and highlighted the divide between the US and Denmark. Donald Trump’s refusal to visit Denmark made the comments Frederiksen made regarding him seem absurd.
This type of slight cancellation was very disappointing for both the government and the citizens of the area.
On the other hand, the diplomatic ties between the two countries continued to be quite impressive. Each of the nations are members of NATO and are focused on common goals in trade and security. After the affair, representatives of the U. S. tried to mend the ties, this time pursuing joint activities in the Arctic region.
Long-term Consequences
There was much debate as to whether the proposal regarding the purchasing of Greenland would be viable, but it most certainly raised some important questions. To begin with, it highlighted the increasing significance of the Arctic basin in the world economic and political system. With the rapid changing of the climate in the basin, there are fierce competition among countries for resources and trade routes. The U. S. has now redoubled its operations in North, underlining the necessity to restrain both Russia and China.
The quest highlighted the complexities of pursuing economic supremacy while ensuring that key ethical and environmental issues were adequately addressed. There is enormous economic potential in the natural resources of Greenland, however, extraction of these resources has environmental and human rights implications.
This particular incident articulates the very unique and at times controversial presidency of Donald Trump. It was common for him to present ideas that are out of the box yet often shocking without considering their viability.
This perspective was seen by some as a vision while others viewed it as reckless and disruptive.
Conclusion
Trump’s proposal to buy Greenland will go down as a remarkable episode in the modern history of geopolitics owing to the interplay between the historical, strategic and diplomatic processes involved. It was an idea that sounded far fetched, but it was indicative of the geopolitical significance of the Arctic and the myriad of factors that will determine the future of such an area. In the international context of dealing with climate change, resources and disputes over territory, it is more than tangible that Greenland will continue to attract a significant amount of attention. The island can either be an oppressed or sought-out island, and as such its fate will be determined by its citizens and the rest of the world.