Trump renews plan for U.S. to gain control over Greenland

What Happened?

President Donald Trump has renewed remarks on the U.S. to acquire Greenland which has sparked much criticism among allies.

Recent rhetoric from President Trump has prompted concern from Greenland and Denmark after reportedly stating the U.S. is willing to 'go as far as we have to go' for control.

The comments come as Vice President JD Vance prepares for a trip to the Arctic island.

Vice President Vance and his wife Usha will visit the Arctic island on Friday after he suggested online that global security is at stake.

'Speaking for President Trump, we want to reinvigorate the security of the people of Greenland because we think it’s important to protecting the security of the entire world,' Vance stated.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright alongside Vance and second lady Usha will lead the U.S. delegation to visit the Pituffik military space base in the northwest of the island.

'We need Greenland for national security and international security,' Trump told reporters during questioning in the Oval Office Thursday. 'We need Greenland. And the world needs us to have Greenland, including Denmark. Denmark has to have us have Greenland.'

Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen reportedly called Trump's statements an escalation.

'These very powerful statements about a close ally do not suit the U.S. president,' he told reporters in Copenhagen on Thursday.

He added that Trump's rhetoric is in every way 'far-fetched.'

Why it Matters

According to opinion polls, almost all Greenlanders oppose becoming part of the U.S. as protests on the island recently displayed that position.

France and German officials had previously warned against threats toward Greenland following Trump's refusal to rule out military force once president.

Greenland and the Panama Canal have been big targets for Trump as he ensures the motives are for economic security.

Parts of these concerns include melting Arctic ice that is opening and creating new shipping routes as an alternative to the Suez Canal.

The shorter distance, almost half linking East Asia's major ports to Europe, has reportedly been on the radar of Western powers.

Another area of focus is Greenland's oil, natural gas, and large deposits of rare earth minerals.

Denmark, a long-time U.S. ally that currently controls Greenland, has stated the territory is not for sale.

How it Affects You

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on record that 'Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders' and its future could be determined only by the local population of roughly 60,000.

Residents of Greenland are now reportedly making their voices heard at the polls in a vote that drew little outside attention in previous years.

But the Trump administration could invoke tariffs or more extreme measures should Denmark refuse to sell Greenland to the U.S.

If Greenland and the U.S. are unable to find a solution, a lot could be at stake.