...
By Martha McHardy
US News Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
An ally of President-elect Donald Trump has waded into the debate over the control of Greenland by suggesting the United States could take it by force.
Scott Jennings, who has been a vocal supporter of Trump, made the remark on CNN on Monday, saying that the U.S. would be able to overcome the Arctic territory because "there's not that many people there."
Newsweek has contacted Trump's transition team and Scott Jennings for comment via email.
Read More on Politics
Why It Matters
Trump has previously suggested that the U.S. should buy Greenland, an autonomous territory that is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, a NATO country and member of the EU.
Greenland has access to the Arctic, where international competition has arisen in recent years as nations race to claim northern territory in hopes of accessing natural resources abundant in the region, including gold, silver, copper and uranium.
What To Know
When asked if the U.S. will take Greenland by force, Jennings said on CNN on Monday: "I don't know. We could. There's not that many people there. But I don't think we should have to, and here's why we should want it: they get rare earth minerals, we already have some kind of a space base there, and it would fortify us against the Russians."
Greenland capital Nuuk is closer to New York than the Danish capital Copenhagen. The territory is home to a large U.S. space facility and is strategically important, sitting on the shortest route from North America to Europe.
...
Political strategist Jennings, who served under George W Bush, has previously suggested that he would have Greenland "whipped into shape in no time." He also previously declared his candidacy for Military Governor of Greenland in December, a position that does not exist.
Several times in the past, the U.S. has considered acquiring Greenland. Trump first mentioned buying it in 2019. And the president-elect said on his social media platform Truth Social in December that "the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity."
Greenland's prime minister, Múte Bourup Egede, responded to Donald Trump's remarks, in a statement saying that "Greenland is ours. We are not for sale, and we will never be for sale. We must not lose our long fight for freedom."
In 2019, Donald Trump told reporters: "We're very good allies with Denmark. We protect Denmark like we protect large portions of the world. So, the concept came up and I said, 'Certainly I'd be.' Strategically, it's interesting and we'd be interested, but we'll talk to them a little bit. It's not No. One on the burner; I can tell you that."
"Essentially, it's a large real estate deal. A lot of things can be done," he continued about a Greenland purchase.
After his comments were widely criticized by Danish officials, Trump announced he was canceling a meeting with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who called Trump's suggestion "an absurd discussion."
Previous U.S. inquiries about buying Greenland include a 1867 report from the State Department that said the island's location and natural resources would make it an ideal acquisition. President Harry Truman offered to purchase Greenland from Denmark in 1946 for $100 million in gold.
In the 1970s, Vice President Nelson Rockefeller also discussed buying Greenland for its mineral resources, according to The Washington Post.
Trump has also threatened to take back control of the Panama Canal, and has said Canada should be the 51st state, but the U.S. is unlikely to take control of any of these regions.
What People Are Saying
Greenland's prime minister, Múte B Egede, said: "We are not for sale and we will not be for sale."
Army Maj Steen Kjaergaard of the Danish Defense Academy told the BBC: "I think Trump is smart … he gets Denmark to prioritize its Arctic military capabilities by raising this voice, without having to take over a very un-American welfare system."
Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X who has been tapped by Trump to lead the advisory department of Government Efficiency, wrote on X: "The People of Greenland should decide their future and I think they want to be part of America!"
What Happens Next
Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of the President-elect, is expected to visit Greenland on Tuesday. He has no meetings scheduled with representatives of the Greenlandic government, a source previously told Newsweek.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines