Donald Trump’s plan to buy Greenland has taken a serious turn. Republicans have begun gathering support in the House of Representatives to pass a new bill to authorize the US President to enter into formal negotiations to purchase Greenland.
The bill, titled ‘Make Greenland Great Again Act’, is being circulated to gather its co-sponsors. As of Monday, the bill already had 10 cosponsors. It is led by Republican Congressman Andy Ogles and Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger.
This makes it official that Donald Trump, who will become President of the United States next week, is serious about buying Greenland and making it part of the United States. He had said this on several occasions in recent weeks and in 2019 – during his previous term as president – had even asked his advisers how this could be done.
President-elect Trump has also made it clear that under his presidency, the US will not hesitate to use military and economic measures to persuade Denmark and Greenland if either of them reject the buyout option.
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Donald Trump has said that Greenland is a matter of US national security and under the Trump administration, Washington can go to any extent on national security matters.
Donald Trump’s Republican Party has a majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, following a historic victory in the November 5 US presidential election. This makes it easier for Donald Trump to execute his plans without too many obstacles in the way.
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According to the draft ‘Make Greenland Great Again Act’, “Congress hereby authorizes the President to engage in negotiations with the Kingdom of Denmark beginning at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on January 20, 2025.” “US Takeover of Greenland.”
It further states that “Within 5 calendar days after reaching an agreement with the Kingdom of Denmark relating to the acquisition of Greenland by the United States, the President shall transmit the agreement, including all related materials and annexes, to the appropriate Congressional committees.”
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Should the bill pass, Donald Trump could officially and legally take any action at will to acquire Greenland as soon as he takes office following his inauguration on January 20.
Greenland is a colony of Denmark. It is a semi-sovereign state and depends on the Kingdom of Denmark for all matters of foreign affairs and security. For centuries now, Denmark has controlled Greenland, even though there have been decades of calls for independence for the largest island.
Greenland is part of the Constitution of Denmark and Copenhagen would have to amend its constitution to give Greenland its full sovereignty and independence. Amid Donald Trump’s threat to buy Greenland, Danish Prime Minister Mute Eggede has appealed to push for the island’s full independence. He has also said that Greenland is not for sale and the final decision on its future will have to be taken by the residents of Greenland.