D. Trump's son's visit to Greenland: a world partition in the near future?

D. Trump considers economic and military pressure for control of the Panama Canal, Greenland, and Canada

On Tuesday, President-elect Donald Trump suggested using economic or military pressure to take control of the Panama Canal and Greenland, stressing that the US needs both countries for "economic security". These considerations were followed by a visit to Greenland by his son.

He criticized the decision to hand over the Panama Canal to Panama, calling it "a big mistake by President Carter" and suggesting that the US should have kept control. Trump also expressed concern about China's involvement in the canal and stressed the importance of Greenland for national security, highlighting the presence of Chinese and Russian ships in the vicinity^[1].

D. Trump also referred to the possibility of Greenland becoming part of the US if Denmark did not relinquish control and even threatened to impose high tariffs on the country. On Canada, Trump suggested that it should be part of the US, arguing that the US gives Canada a lot of financial and military support but gets little in return. He argued that the US does not need Canada's resources and questioned why the US spends billions every year on national defense.

D. Trump also remarked that Canada could "dissolve" without US support, referring to his conversation with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

D. Trump Jr. pays a "surprise" visit to Greenland

Meanwhile, Trump's son's arrival in Greenland on Tuesday fuelled talk about the purpose of his trip, although he said he was traveling as a tourist on a "very long, personal, one-day trip" to meet people and had no plans to meet any government officials.

The island's Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mininnguaq Kleist, confirmed the itinerary.

A source familiar with the trip told Reuters that Trump Jr planned to film the visit for a podcast and that he would not meet any government officials or political figures^[2].

Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark with a population of just 57,000 and boasts mineral, oil, and natural gas wealth. However, Greenland's development has been slow, and its economy depends on fishing and annual Danish subsidies.

France warns Trump to keep his hands off Greenland

Meanwhile, France immediately warned Trump not to threaten the European Union's "sovereign borders" following his comments about possible military action to take control of Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory.

D. Trump has repeatedly called for the US to acquire Greenland, citing its strategic position and its valuable minerals. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated that the EU would not tolerate attacks on its sovereign borders and stressed the need for Europe to strengthen itself militarily.

The new leader of the States also questioned Denmark's legal right to Greenland, calling it essential for US national security, and refused to rule out military or economic action to take it over. The US has a military base in Greenland, and Trump has raised the possibility of acquiring the Panama Canal and has even advocated making Canada the 51st state. Denmark and Greenland have rejected these proposals^[3].

Danish and Greenlandic leaders to meet after Trump remarks on island takeover

Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede will meet with King Frederik of Denmark on Wednesday to discuss Trump's proposals to take military or economic action to take control of an Arctic island.

Egede, who favors Greenland's independence from Denmark, had initially announced that the meeting with the King would be postponed, although the Danish Royal Court later confirmed that it would occur.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen rejected Trump's proposal for military intervention, stressing that Denmark's military presence in Greenland is limited. In response to Trump's tariff threats, Frederiksen also rejected the trade war idea. Greenlandic leaders and Denmark insist that the island is not for sale and that the Greenlandic people must decide its future. Trump had previously proposed acquiring Greenland in 2019, but Denmark disagreed.

Speculation about Trump's intention to acquire the autonomous island has also been fuelled by a private trip to Greenland by his son, Donald Trump Jr.

America wants to show its power over China?

However, Trump's real ambitions to take over Greenland are under consideration despite Greenland's unique strategic location and its valuable natural resources, including rare earth, which are very important for the defense and technology industries. Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, is also important because of its claims to the Arctic region, which China and Russia disputed.

It is therefore speculated that Trump's interest is driven by the US's desire to reduce its dependence on China for these crucial minerals and to strengthen its position in the competition for Arctic resources.

However, Denmark and Greenland have firmly rejected any idea of selling the island. For her part, Danish Prime Minister Frederiksen has said that Greenland's future should be decided by its people^[4].

Canada once also claimed Greenland

Even though Trump's proposal to acquire Greenland has been compared to colonialist tendencies, it reflects the historical cases in which countries, including Canada, have considered acquiring Greenland for its strategic and economic value.

During the First World War, Canadian Prime Minister Sir Robert Borden and his delegation sought to buy Greenland from Denmark, believing that its vast mineral resources and strategic location were crucial to Canada's growth. They thought Greenland could become an important military and aviation center, especially given the possible German occupation of Denmark.

Although the proposal was severe, it failed because Denmark refused to sell Greenland, and the US declared that the territory should remain Danish. Borden's imperial ambitions eventually faded as he concentrated on strengthening relations with the US. This historical context highlights how Trump's rhetoric on Greenland is in line with past imperialist notions and highlights that Western powers, including Canada, once had similar ideas of territorial expansion.