Why is World's Largest Island Greenland Important to Trump, How Will It Benefit US?

Washington DC: Trump has been eyeing Greenland, ever since he assumed duties as the President of the United States, but this interest is not limited to the current President as the United States has been looking to takeover the world's largest island for years.

Greenland's strategic location, its natural resources and new shipping routes are among the many reasons why the US takeover of Greenland would benefit the US. 

Read in detail, why this takeover is important for US President Donald Trump:

Also Read: 'Greenland Is Ours': PM Egede Rejects Trump's Offer to Be Part of US

3 Reasons Why Greenland Takeover is Beneficial to the US?

• New Shipping Routes Likely Due to Climate Change

Greenland is the world's largest island and over 80 per cent of its land is permanently covered with ice. However, in the past three decades, climate change and an alarming increase in global warming has resulted in the melting of over 10,000 square miles of ice sheet. While it is alarming when looking at it through the lens of nature, but geopolitically and strategically, Greenland will soon be the centre of attention because the melting of ice sheets would result in more mining opportunities and new shipping routes, which in turn would make the island very economically sound. With increased resources, the takeover of Greenland would be quite beneficial to the US.

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• Geopolitical Importance 

Greenland's location within the Artic Circle is a gold mine for several countries who are looking to empower themselves through natural resources, that remain untapped when it comes to Greenland. The melting ice on the island is giving way to emerging shipping corridors and mining routes which are expected to hugely benefit the countries as it would accelerate global trade; the island is also becoming more navigable. Canada, Russia, Norway and Denmark are the countries apart from the US, who may claim the island, to increase their continental shelf into the Artic. If US is able to take over the island, they will have a bigger claim in the Arctic.

• Rich Source of Gas Resources, Rare Earth Minerals

Another major reason why the Greenland takeover will be beneficial to the United States is the presence of rare earth minerals on the island. As per the US Geological Survey published in 2009, 13 per cent of undiscovered gas resources and 30 per cent of undiscovered natural gas is part of the Arctic and the acquisition of Greenland would also give the US, claim to these resources. Apart from the gas resources, rare earth minerals including copper, nickel, cobalt, lithium and zirconium among others, will also help US take control of the market as these minerals are important in production of mobile phones, batteries and electric vehicles. 

Why is US Takeover of Greenland Important to Trump?

Donald Trump , the President of United States has expressed his desire to take over Greenland several times. Days after assuming duties as the US President for the second time, on the Greenland takeover, Trump had said to reporters, “I think we are going to have it; I think Greenland we'll get because it has to do with freedom of the world”. He further said that the island's residence “want to be with us” and that it is an “absolute necessity” for international security.

A major reason for the US takeover of the island, as explained by Trump, is national and international security. Since the World War II, US has had troops in the island, along with a small missile defence base - Pituffik Space Base (earlier, Thule Air Base). According to Trump, this defence base is likely to be a part of the Golden Dome Missile Defence System, that is being made by the US, to protect the country. 

Since Greenland offers the shortest route between North America and Europe, the takeover would help US in terms of its military and ballistic missile early-warning system. The country also wishes to expand its military presence, by placing radars in the waters, to connect Iceland and the UK with Greenland, and track the Russian and Chinese vessels, that use these tracks.

Has US Tried to Take Over Greenland Before?

President Trump is not the first person in the US, who has expressed desire to take over the world's largest island. The United States has been interested in taking over Greenland since the 19th century. The Secretary of State William Seward, after purchasing Alaska from Russia in 1867, had started eyeing Greenland as a potential part of the country. A report commissioned by him in 1868 said that Greenland acquisition could also compel Canada to become part of the United States.

In 1910, US Ambassador Maurice Egan proposed to swap land in the Philippines for Greenland as part of an elaborate trade plan but the efforts failed. 

The US interests in Greenland surged again, this time during the World War II, when the US wanted to acquire the island under its Monroe Doctrine. A Defense of Greenland Agreement was signed between US and Denmark in 1941, giving the US right to build and access military bases.

Also Read: Faced With Trump's Threats Over Greenland, Denmark's PM Seeks Support From Her EU Partners

In 1946, US military leaders said that Greenland is ‘indispensable to the safety of the US’ and as per reports, also offered to pay $100 million in gold to Denmark secretly, in return for Greenland. The proposal was turned down by the Danish government. 

The US and Denmark entered a fresh agreement in 1951, where US had the right to operate and set up military bases on Greenland, in accordance with the NATO. 

Donald Trump, the US President has been openly talking about his interest to take over Greenland, the world's largest island, in both of his presidential terms. Usha Vance, the wife of US Vice President JD Vance, is visiting Greenland, amid strong opposition from the Greenland Prime Minister and the interim government, who will be boycotting the US Second Lady's visit.