The US President elect Donald Trump is talking about taking control over Greenland and Panama Canal, along with making Canada the 51^st state of America. And he has refused to apply military force or any economic power to control the territory, which he declared at a Press conference in Mar-A-Lago, Florida. Trump has also threatened to impose “high” tariffs on Denmark, to which Greenland belongs autonomously.

Why is Trump eyeing possession over Greenland?

The Greenland and Panama Canal hold strategic importance, not only for US but for any other country too. Trump has described that the ownership and control of these territories has become an absolute necessity for “economic security”. He has long been targeting the Arctic island and since 2019 he confirmed to finding out ways how he can hold possession of it.

Greenland supplies oil and natural gas, along with multiple in-demand raw materials for green technology. That’s what draws a worldwide interest to the island, especially China. So, if Trump is able to acquire it, that would keep China’s intrusion away.

Moreover, the location of the island is as such that geopolitically, it is between US and Russia, the two major powers of the world. It holds immense importance for defense, emerging as the battleground amidst crisis. For the US, Greenland is an important military base for its ballistic missile early warning system. The US military already has its presence at Pituffik (since the Cold war) and shortest route from Europe to North America runs through the island. America might even place radars to monitor the waters across Greenland (between Iceland and Britain).

As the ice continues to melt rapidly, the island might be open to oil drilling and mining for about 25 essential minerals like copper, lithium, cobalt and nickel (even though exploration licenses aren’t granted by Greenland since 2021 citing environmental reasons). New arctic shipping routes might open due to this, China and Russia have even agreed upon the development. This might prove an alternative to the Suez Canal, that will shorten the journey from Western Europe to East Asia to nearly half.

Who owns Greenland?

Since, 600 years the Arctic island has belonged to Denmark. It became an official territory of Denmark in 1953, and is subjected under the Danish Constitution. But, in 2009 it was granted a self-governing autonomy. Greenland now controls its own domestic affairs as a semi-sovereign territory under the Danish realm. With this, it also has the right to declare independence from Denmark through a referendum.

However, it has been repeatedly said that the island is “not for any sale”. Even in 2019, both Greenland and Denmark had declined Trump when he insisted on buying. It was also sought to be controlled by US President Harry Truman during the Cold war but Copenhagen had denied selling. History also dates back to 1862 and 1902, all attempts failed.

The law- Can Trump buy Greenland?

The international laws emphasize on “self-determination”. It means the ability of the people to choose how they want to be governed. Experts say that in order to “buy” Greenland, Trump will have to negotiate a treaty that involves both Denmark and Greenland. Another picture is, if the movement for independence in Greenland gains momentum, people might choose United States. Denmark will have no say then.

With which, the island may have new colonial rule and many financial implications followed. however, both Denmark and Greenland have cleared it at multiple times that the island is “not for sale”. The Prime minister of Greenland Mute Egede has shared in a Facebook post, “Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland. Our future and fight for independence is our business. While others, including Danes and Americans, are entitled to their opinions, we should not be caught up in the hysteria and external pressures that distract us from our path. The future is ours and ours to shape.”

An interesting turn of events might follow up, if Trump tries to go further with his claims. Also, what if Greenland wants to seek independence? Ties may get affected, international treaties and laws will be violated and there will be an ambition clash in the world…