- Historically, Greenland has been part of several countries. Although early settlers reached the island several centuries ago, claims to the area were only made in the last few centuries.
- When Denmark and Norway were one country known as the Dano-Norwegian region (Det Dansk-Norske Rigge), explorers and settlers from the country set sail for Greenland, then known as Kalaallit Nunaut. And claimed sovereignty over this area. When Denmark and Norway separated in 1814, it was agreed between them that the colony of Greenland would now be transferred to the Danish Crown.
- Greenland remained a territory of the Danish crown for almost 140 years, until Denmark was occupied by Nazi Germany. Under the code name ‘Operation Weserübung’, Nazi Germany invaded Denmark and Norway on April 9, 1940. Within a day Denmark surrendered and was captured. At this time Greenland briefly became part of Hitler’s sphere of influence. But knowing Greenland’s strategic location, the United States acted quickly and occupied Greenland before Hitler’s troops could land.
- Greenland became part of the United States and remained under its control for five years between 1940 and 1945. At the end of World War II, Denmark was liberated from German occupation on May 5, 1945, five days after Hitler’s death. Months later, the US decided to return Greenland to Denmark. In 1953, Denmark officially integrated Greenland as part of its country. This made the people of Greenland citizens of Denmark.
- But the administration of such a huge island, located 3,000 kilometers away from Denmark across the Norwegian Sea (Atlantic Ocean), became a problem. People in Greenland were not happy. On May 1, 1979, Denmark decided to largely hand over governance to the inhabitants of Greenland, allowing them ‘home rule’. But Denmark retained all matters of foreign affairs and security – a position it maintains to this day.
- However, Greenland has its own parliament, Inatsitsertut, and the Danish parliament, Folketing, sends two MPs. Over time, the Greenlanders, as they are now called, began to demand complete independence. Denmark struck a deal with the United States to allow the US to set up its military base ‘Pitfik’ and ballistic missile command and early warning system in Greenland during the height of the Cold War with Russia, sparking widespread outrage. Had gone. The US began storing large amounts of its nuclear weapons stockpile in Greenland and in 1968, a US military jet with four hydrogen bombs also crashed in Greenland.
- Relations between Greenland and Denmark had soured even before Home Rule was implemented – when a massive contraceptive scandal rocked the country in the 1960s and 1970s. The Prime Minister of Greenland had blamed Denmark for this and called it ‘mass murder’ and ‘genocide’.
- Even today, Greenland is not completely free from colonial rule as Denmark controls security and foreign policy. This means that any potential negotiations with Donald Trump would be facilitated by Denmark and not Greenland directly. This has complicated the equation because Denmark will have the final say in this uncertainty hanging over Greenland.
- Donald Trump has clearly stated that the US needs full control over Greenland, and has described ownership of the island as “absolutely essential” for the United States. This is not the first time that Donald Trump has set his sights on Greenland. The reports are being confirmed by Donald Trump himself, according to whom even in 2019, he had asked his close advisors about ways to buy Greenland completely. He called it “essentially a big real estate deal.”
- Greenland is an extremely resource-rich island. It is rich in oil and gas reserves. It also has large supplies of rare earth materials and raw materials needed for green technologies. China is also looking to increase its presence in Greenland, and with Beijing controlling most of the world’s exports of vital raw materials while threatening export restrictions on it, Washington wants to avoid that situation. By purchasing Greenland, Trump believes he can prevent China from dominating the world in technology and rare materials. There is such urgency that Donald Trump has even threatened to use the military to take control of Greenland if necessary.
