America’s newly elected President Donald Trump has once again expressed his desire to buy Greenland, an autonomous region of Denmark and the world’s largest island. He had also considered this issue during his first term in 2019, but took no action.
It is not at all that America has not purchased any area before. The country’s largest state, Alaska, was purchased by Washington from Russia in 1867. Both Alaska and Greenland have cold climate, low population density, strategic locations and oil reserves. The price of Alaska, comprising 586,412 square miles, was then $7.2 million, which is approximately $153.5 million today.
According to a media report, the price of Greenland, spread over 836,000 square miles, was 50% of the adjusted price of Alaska. Depending on the increase, it could be estimated at $230.25 million.
America wanted to buy Greenland even in 1946
America had earlier also explored the possibility of buying Greenland. The 1946 U.S. offer contemplated purchasing Greenland in exchange for $100 million in gold, equivalent to more than $1.6 billion today.
The United States had acquired the U.S. Virgin Islands from Denmark in 1917. Was bought for 25 million dollars of gold (about 616.2 million dollars as per today). Bought Louisiana from France in 1803 for $15 million (about $418.8 million today). Greenland’s GDP was $3.24 billion in 2021. However, there remains uncertainty about the actual price of purchasing Greenland. Under the US Constitution, funding will require Congressional approval.
Why is America interested in Greenland?
There are several reasons for American interest in Greenland. There may be reasons. This island is located on the shortest route from North America to Europe. It has some of the largest reserves of rare minerals, which are important in the manufacture of batteries and high-tech equipment. There is a large US military base in Greenland.
Trump, who took office on January 20, said on Tuesday that he would not use military or economic measures against Denmark to annex Greenland to the United States. Will not rule out the possibility.
According to Trump, these islands are important to keep an eye on Chinese and Russian ships which are visible everywhere these days. He says that we need it for economic security.
A big question is whether it is so easy to buy Greenland? In 2019, Trump canceled his trip to Denmark. In fact, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen had rejected America’s idea of ​​buying Greenland.
What is the population of Greenland?
Greenland with a population of 57,000. Has been part of Denmark for 600 years. It now manages most of its internal affairs as a semi-sovereign territory within Danish territory.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told Danish TV that ‘Greenland belongs to the Greenlandic people’ and only the local population can determine its future. He said “Greenland is not for sale”, but stressed that Denmark needed closer cooperation with NATO ally the United States. Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Egged has also made it clear that Greenland is not for sale. However, he is a supporter of Greenland’s independence from Denmark.
