The view of Greenland. The Danish says it is not for sale. (Image via Irish Examiner)

Donald Trump eyes Greenland, intends to buy it

Alfonsus Adi Putra
Business & Industry
Real Estate
Aug 29, 2019
2390
Third time’s the charm, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced his intention of buying the whole Greenland island. Despite the controversy announcement, Greenland recently has caught the world’s attention from the U.S to China. China was also willing to buy the icy continent.

Home of approximately 58,000 populations, Greenland was known as the most spacious island in the world, 80% of which is covered in ice. It was once governed by Denmark, but it set itself autonomous in 1979.

Due to the melting polar ice caps amid the global warming phenomenon, North Atlantic shipping route was opened, passing Greenland. China was interested to establish “Polar Silk Road” through the route.

Trump stated that the U.S intended to protect Denmark as it protects the world. On a side note, the U.S wanted to reduce China’s presence in Greenland. Chinese mining companies were known as having invested much in Greenland, which was informed as a complaint by Denmark to Pentagon in 2019 Annual Report of Congress.

It is known that Greenland has the vast mineral resource such as coal, zinc, rubies, marble, oil, and other rare minerals buried beneath the ice caps, untapped by others; thus, making Greenland more susceptible to other nations’ interest. It was known as keeping the 13% of oil reserves & 30% of gas reserves of the world.

Furthermore, Trump relied on the facts that both countries have been allies for a long time, so he believed that Denmark would allow him to purchase Greenland. Since 1943, the U.S Thule Air Base has been operating in Greenland, certainly noting the significance of bilateral relations between the U.S and Greenland.

Adding fuel to the fire, Trump recalled that Greenland had been “hurting” Denmark, causing about US$700-million-dollar loss annually.

“Buying Greenland from Denmark would be a solution for Denmark,” said the U.S President.

GREENLAND IS NOT FOR SALE

Seemingly “good” intention was shown by Trump for Greenland. However, still, the Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, stands on her ground. She asserted that the icy continent is not for sale. Moreover, Frederiksen referred to Trump’s purchase intention as “absurd”.

“Greenland is Greenland. Denmark is Denmark. Greenland is not for sale and it belongs to its people,” asserted Frederiksen.

Trump was triggered by the “absurdity” labeled to him by the female Prime Minister and the refusal of the deal. Trump then canceled the state visit which was supposed to be held in the upcoming September.

In return, Trump referred to her the same way as he referred to Megan Markle, “nasty” & “inappropriate”.

Danish officials called Trump “has gone mad” for trying to buy Greenland. The former Danish Foreign Affairs Minister, Martin Lidegaard, stated that the U.S could not just walk in and buy Greenland like a colonialist. The Danish Foreign Minister, Ane Lone Bagger, used a softer tone.

“We are open for business, but Greenland is not for sale,” said she.

For Trump, who is also a famous real-estate mogul, the deal might also be a huge real-estate deal for his company. Trump then uploaded a picture of Trump Tower amid what seems to be slums and wrote in its caption, “I promise not to do this to Greenland!”

This was not the first time the U.S tried to buy Greenland. In 1946, the 33rd U.S President, Harry S. Truman, intended to buy Greenland for US$100 million in gold. Denmark refused the offer. Tracing back, even more, the U.S tried to buy it for the first time in 1867.

Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-s-green-new-deal-president-reportedly-considering-buying-greenland-n1042966

Politics , Business , Property , Real-Estate , U.S , Denmark , Greenland , Donald-Trump