in a press conference U.S. President-elect Donald Trump reiterated his desire to acquire Greenland at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Tuesday, saying the island is vital to U.S. national security.

The Republican leader, who is due to take office on January 20, refused to rule out using military or economic force to achieve his goal of taking over Denmark’s autonomous territory.

Trump also said he hopes to make Canada the 51st state of the United States and seize control of Canada. panama canalas part of his push for U.S. territorial expansion, since win the election November.

So why does Trump want to buy Greenland – a piece of 80% coverage More than 3,000 kilometers (1,864 miles) from the U.S. capital, Washington, D.C.? Is this the first time the United States has attempted to acquire Greenland?

Where is Greenland? What is its current status?

Greenland, located between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, is the world’s largest island and part of North America. Even though Australia is larger and surrounded by water, it is not considered an island because it is a continent.

Greenland is home to about 56,000 people, most of whom are inuit aboriginal people.

Its capital, Nuuk, is closer to New York (about 2,900 kilometers or 1,800 miles) than to Copenhagen, which is 3,500 kilometers (2,174 miles) to the east.

The island was under Danish rule from the early 18th century until it became an autonomous territory in 1979. Since 2009, Greenland has had the right to declare independence through a referendum.

Greenland’s Prime Minister Mutt Egede has called for independence from Denmark.

The Arctic island is one of two autonomous territories in Denmark, the other being the Faroe Islands.

Since Denmark is part of NATOGreenland is part of the North Atlantic Military Alliance by default.

Greenland is not a member of the EU, but has links with the EU and is one of the EU’s 25 Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT). EU Law Website “OCT Nationals Are EU Citizens” explain. Greenlanders are therefore considered EU citizens.

In 1973, Greenland joined Denmark in the now-defunct European Community, but withdrew in 1985. The European Union replaced the European Community.

The EU has yet to officially comment on Trump’s recent remarks.

How did Greenland and Denmark react to Trump’s threats?

On December 23, Trump posted on his Truth social media platform that “it is absolutely necessary to own and control Greenland.”

In response, Greenland’s elected Prime Minister Egede said that the island will not be sold. “Greenland is ours. We are not selling it and we will never sell it. We must not lose our long fight for freedom,” Egged said in a written comment.

After Trump wanted to take over Greenland, the Danish government announced it would increase Greenland’s defense spending to $1.5 billion.

On Tuesday, ahead of his son Donald Trump Jr’s visit to Greenland, the US president-elect once again posted on his Truth social platform: “Greenland is an incredible place if and when it People will benefit greatly from becoming part of Greenland “Our country…”

Following Trump’s latest comments, Egged met with Denmark’s King Frederik X in Copenhagen on Wednesday, but details of the meeting were not made public.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Tuesday that “Greenland belongs to Greenlanders,” while Foreign Minister Lars Lok Rasmussen said the island had no intention of becoming a federal state of the United States.

Why does Trump want Greenland?

This is not the first time Trump has expressed a desire to take control of the island, which houses a U.S. military base. Trump canceled a trip to Copenhagen after Denmark, a close U.S. ally, rejected Trump’s offer to buy the island during his first term.

Greenland offers the shortest route from North America to Europe. This gives the U.S. military and ballistic missile warning systems a strategic advantage.

The United States has expressed interest in expanding its military presence in Greenland by deploying radar in the waters connecting Greenland, Iceland and the United Kingdom. These waters are a gateway for Russian and Chinese vessels that Washington wants to track.

The island is also extremely rich in mineral resources, including rare earth minerals used in battery manufacturing and high-tech industries.

According to a 2023 survey, 25 of the 34 minerals considered “critical raw materials” by the European Commission are found in Greenland.

There is no oil or gas extraction in Greenland, and its mining is opposed by indigenous peoples. The island’s economy relies heavily on fishing.

Has the United States tried to buy Greenland before?

Yes. The United States has long expressed interest in Greenland.

The United States considered buying Greenland at least twice, once in 1867 and again in 1946, when President Harry S. Truman proposed buying Greenland for $100 million. Denmark rejected the offer.

In 1867, the United States purchased Alaska from Russia. Since then, U.S. Secretary of State Seward has tried and failed to negotiate the purchase of Greenland from Russia.

The United States occupied Greenland in 1941 after Nazi Germany invaded Denmark during World War II. It established a military and radio presence on the island, and U.S. forces have since maintained a permanent presence at Pitufik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base) in northwestern Greenland.

In 1946, when Greenland was still a Danish colony, Truman offered to buy the island for $100 million, but Denmark rejected it. This was conducted secretly during the Cold War and was not made public until an Associated Press report in 1991.

Mercator projection: How big is Greenland?

Some of today’s world maps can be misleading as to how big Greenland actually looks. The Arctic islands cover an area of ​​2.17 million square kilometers (836,330 square miles), approximately three times the size of Texas in the United States.

However, according to the map, the Danish territory is considered larger. This is because modern world maps often use what is called Mercator projectiondesigned in 1569 by the European cartographer Geert de Kremer. The projection has been criticized for distorting land proportions.

On a Mercator map, Greenland is almost as large as Africa. However, there is actually room for 14 Greenlands within Africa.

Why did Trump’s son visit Greenland?

Trump’s son Donald Trump Jr. Arriving in Greenland Tuesday. The Greenlandic government said Trump Jr. was visiting the island “in a private capacity” and that Greenlandic representatives would not meet with him.

Still, Trump wrote on his Truth social platform on Monday: “I heard the people of Greenland are ‘MAGA,'” referring to the Make America Great Again movement.

“My son Don Jr. and fellow delegates will be traveling there to visit some of the most spectacular areas and attractions.

“Greenland is an incredible place and the people would benefit tremendously if it became part of our country,” Trump added. “We will protect it and cherish it from very evil outsiders. world impact.”

How did the world react?

Trump’s recent comments have angered some european leaders.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed Trump’s idea on Wednesday. “Borders may not be moved by force. This principle applies to every country, whether East or West,” he wrote on his X account.

“In negotiations with our European partners, there is uneasiness about recent statements by the United States. It is clear: we must stand together.”

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrow told state radio on Wednesday that “there is no doubt that the EU will allow other countries in the world, no matter who they are… to attack its sovereign borders.”