Greenland —
US President Donald Trump’s efforts to take control of Greenland are causing great concern in Europe. Despite strong opposition, Mr. Trump has continued to push to take over the island, which belongs to Denmark. His recent threats of tariffs have seriously raised tensions between the US and European countries.
Greenland
Greenland is the world’s largest island. Though it’s huge, there are only about 56,000 people living there. The island is part of Denmark, but Greenland has its own government, which handles most of its laws and rules. In the past, the US has had a close relationship with both Denmark and Greenland, and has a military base in Greenland.
(Source: Inter-rede [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons.)
In 2019, during his first term in office, Mr. Trump suggested that the US might buy Greenland. The idea was unusual, and many people didn’t take it seriously. Greenland’s government responded, “Of course, Greenland is not for sale.”
But Mr. Trump didn’t give up the idea. Even before he took office for his second term, he said on social media that the US had to own Greenland.
There are several reasons that Mr. Trump may be interested in Greenland. The island is close to both Russia and China, two countries that the US sees as threats. As global warming melts Arctic ice, more ships will be able to pass through the Arctic. That could make Greenland important for defense. Greenland is also rich in natural resources, including oil, and rare metals that are important for making electronic devices.
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In 2019, Mr. Trump suggested that the US might buy Greenland. Greenland’s government responded, “Of course, Greenland is not for sale.” But Mr. Trump didn’t give up the idea. Last March, Mr. Trump spoke to the US Congress about Greenland (above), saying, “One way or the other, we’re going to get it.”
Last March, Mr. Trump spoke to the US Congress about Greenland, saying, “One way or the other, we’re going to get it.”
The position was very worrying for Denmark and other European countries, which have long had strong ties to the US. Many European countries, along with the US and Canada, are part of an important security agreement called NATO. It’s highly unusual for a country to threaten to take over territory belonging to one of its allies.
Recently, Mr. Trump and his government have raised tensions even higher. Mr. Trump’s team has said several times that the US wants to buy Greenland. But they have refused to promise not to use the military to take it by force.
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Denmark says Greenland isn’t for sale. Greenland’s leaders say they don’t want to be part of the US. Above, the leader of Greenland’s government, Jens-Frederik Nielsen (left), and Denmark’s prime minister, Mette Frederiksen (right), speak to reporters on January 13.
Denmark says Greenland isn’t for sale. Greenland’s leaders say they don’t want to be part of the US. Denmark’s prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, said if the US took Greenland, it would be the end of NATO.
European leaders are worried about Mr. Trump’s plans. They say the US should work with Europe, not against it.
In Denmark and Greenland, thousands of people have protested against Mr. Trump’s positions. Many people in the US also disagree with Mr. Trump – including some people in his own political party. A group of US Republican and Democratic politicians recently visited Denmark to try to calm things down.
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In Denmark and Greenland, thousands of people have protested against Mr. Trump’s positions. Many people in the US also disagree with Mr. Trump – including some people in his own political party. Above, people in Nuuk, Greenland protesting against Mr. Trump and his Greenland plans last Saturday.
But Mr. Trump has refused to back down. On Saturday, he threatened to put tariffs on Denmark and the European countries that have been supporting it.
The threat of tariffs has upset many European leaders. Many see Mr. Trump’s actions as bullying. They worry that he is putting important friendships in danger. European leaders will be meeting to decide on how to respond to Mr. Trump’s increasing pressure.
The situation is tense. Many people are concerned that Mr. Trump’s actions could lead to a serious split between the US and its European allies. For now, the world is watching closely to see what happens next.
Did You Know…?
Many people see Mr. Trump’s recent attack on Venezuela as proof that he might be willing to use force against Greenland. The attack on Venezuela went against international law, but Mr Trump did it anyway. Speaking to reporters the day after the attack, Mr. Trump said, “Let’s talk about Greenland in 20 days.”