Meanwhile, Greenland Prime Minister announced that the nation was not for sale and will never be for sale. Rather Denmark has announced a significant increase in its defence spending for Greenland, aimed at strengthening its military presence in the region.
Greenland has remained largely unexplored, inhabited by natives until the 1700s when expeditions from Denmark and Norway began in the region and it was formally claimed as a Denmark’s colony.
The US first established its presence on the island during World War II when Denmark was occupied by Nazi Germany. The US established a military presence that remains operational even today. The US was further granted control over Greenland’s defense, but Denmark retained sovereignty. Throughout the Cold War, the US military used the island for early warning radar stations, military bases, and monitoring Soviet activities in the Arctic.
In 1979, Greenland gained a degree of self-rule with Denmark granting the island home rule. This was later expanded in 2009 through the Self-Government Act, which gave the island full control over its natural resources and greater authority over its foreign affairs. However, Denmark remained responsible for its defense and foreign policy, and Greenland’s residents are still Danish citizens. Even today, there are ongoing discussions about Greenland gaining full independence.
One reason is Greenland’s Strategic location. It lies in the Arctic region. Artic region is to emerge as the zone of conflict between USA and Russia as it’s glaciers are melting and the possibilities of resources like oil and minerals are very high.
Second reason is the presence of Rare earth minerals in Greenland. Greenland is rich in minerals essential for technology and defence, including rare earth elements used in mobile phones, electric vehicles, and weapons. As China dominates the global rare earth market, Greenland’s reserves are of increasing interest to the US to counter China.
But this is not the first time the US has shown interest in acquiring the island. US President Harry S Truman offered Denmark $100 million for Greenland in 1946.
More recently, former US President Donald Trump, during his first term in 2019, proposed purchasing Greenland, calling it a “large real estate deal”. Denmark rejected the idea, with then-Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen terming it “absurd”. Trump cancelled a planned visit to Denmark in response.
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