# Why does Trump want Greenland and what do its people think?

  
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Democratic leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen said Greenland needed to stand together, after he won the election.

The semi-autonomous island is currently controlled by Denmark, and the vote was dominated by the question of independence, and US President Donald Trump's repeated pledge to take it over, "one way or another".

The Democratic party favours a gradual approach to independence, and has promised to work with the other political parties to take this forward.

## Where is Greenland?

Greenland, the world's largest island, is located in the Arctic.

It is also the most sparsely populated territory. About 56,000 people live there, mostly indigenous Inuit people.

About 80% of its territory is covered by ice, meaning most people live on the south-western coast around the capital, Nuuk.

An autonomous - or self-governing - territory of Denmark, it is also home to Danish and US military bases.

Greenland's economy is mainly based on fishing. Large subsidies from the Danish government account for about a fifth of its income, or GDP.

In recent years, there has been increased interest in Greenland's natural resources, including mining for rare earth minerals, uranium and iron.

These may become more accessible as global warming leads to some of the ice covering Greenland to melt.

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## What is Greenland's status?

Located geographically within North America, Greenland has been controlled by Denmark – nearly 3,000km (1,860 miles) away – for about 300 years.

The island was governed as a colony until the mid-20th Century. For much of this time, it remained isolated and poor.

In 1953, it was made part of the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenlanders became Danish citizens.

In 1979, a referendum on home rule gave Greenland control of most policies within the territory, with Denmark retaining control over foreign affairs and defence.



## Why does Greenland matter to the US?

The US has long maintained a security interest in Greenland. After Nazi Germany occupied mainland Denmark during World War Two, the US invaded Greenland, establishing military and radio stations across the territory.

After the war, US forces remained in Greenland. Pituffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Base, has been operated by the US ever since.

In 1951, a defence agreement with Denmark granted the US a significant role in the defence of the territory, including the right to build and maintain military bases.

"If Russia were to send missiles towards the US, the shortest route for nuclear weapons would be via the North Pole and Greenland," said Marc Jacobsen, an associate professor at the Royal Danish Defence College.

"This is why the Pituffik Space Base is immensely important in defending the US."

China and Russia have begun building up their Arctic military capabilities in recent years, according to an Arctic Institute paper. The paper called for the US to further develop its presence in the Arctic to counter its rivals.

In January, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said Denmark was open to discussions with the US, adding that Washington had "legitimate" interests in the region.

"We see a Russia that is arming itself. We see a China that is also starting to take an interest," Rasmussen said.

Trump is also likely interested in the mining potential across Greenland's vast landmass, Mr Jacobsen added, especially the rare earth minerals in the south.

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## Does the US want full control of Greenland?

During , Trump said that control of Greenland was essential "for national security and international security."

He said he strongly supported the people of Greenland's right to determine their own future.

"If you choose, we welcome you into the United States of America," he added.

  
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Though the president's rhetoric may seem unusual, a succession of US presidents have tried to gain control of Greenland for more than a century.

"The US has tried a few times to push the Danes out of Greenland and take it over as part of the US, or at least to have full security tutelage of Greenland," said Lukas Wahden, the author of , a newsletter on Arctic security.

In 1867, after buying Alaska from Russia, US Secretary of State William H Seward led negotiations to buy Greenland from Denmark, but failed to reach any agreement.

In 1946, the US offered to pay $100m (equivalent to $1.2bn; £970m today) for the territory, judging that it was vital for national security, but the Danish government refused.

Trump also tried to buy Greenland during his first presidential term.

Both Denmark and the Greenlandic government rejected the 2019 proposal, saying: "Greenland is not for sale."

  
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## What do the people of Greenland think?

The debate over the territory's independence has been "put on steroids by Trump", according to Masaana Egede, editor of the newspaper Sermitsiaq.

According to recent polls, almost 80% of Greenlanders back independence from Denmark.

But  found that 85% of Greenlanders rejected the idea of becoming part of the US, versus 6% who wanted it. The rest were undecided.

When BBC correspondent Fergal Keane visited the island in January, : "Greenland belongs to Greenlanders. So, Trump can visit but that's it."

The issue took centre stage in the election.


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"We deserve to be treated with respect and I don't think the American president has done that lately since he took office," said outgoing Prime Minister Egede during the campaign.

He previously said the territory should free itself from "the shackles of colonialism", but wanted to take gradual steps towards autonomy.

In contrast, the opposition party Naleraq wanted to immediately start divorce proceedings from Denmark and have closer defence dealings with Washington.

Speaking after the election results, Democratic leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen said that "Greenland needs us to stand together in a time of great interest from outside."

"There is a need for unity, so we will enter into negotiations with everyone," he added.

When Trump first raised the idea of buying Greenland in 2019, many locals  they were opposed to the proposal.

"This is a very dangerous idea," said Dines Mikaelsen, a tour operator who was born and raised in Tasiilaq, east Greenland.

"He's treating us like a good he can purchase," said Aleqa Hammond, Greenland's first female prime minister.
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