Trump reiterates interest in Greenland’s annexation in a speech to Congress

In a speech given on Tuesday, 4, to the Congress of the United States, President Donald Trump again expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark.

According to Reuters, the president stated that the island’s integration with the US would bring economic and military benefits.

“We will keep them safe, we will make them rich, and together we will lead Greenland to the levels you have never imagined before,” Trump said.

Trump highlighted the strategic relevance of Greenland, characterizing it as a large land and a reduced population, but with extreme importance for global military security.

He mentioned the island’s location as a crucial point between Europe and North America, essential for the US ballistic missile warning system. “We need her for world security,” said the president.

Despite the American interest, the idea of ​​annexation faces resistance from both the Danish government and the Greenland population. Opinion research indicates that most of the island’s inhabitants are contrary to the proposal to become part of the United States.

However, many express support for any independence from Denmark. Copenhagen, in turn, has reiterated several times that Greenland “is not on sale”, discarding any possibility of negotiation about the sovereignty of the territory.

During his speech, Trump showed confidence in the viability of annexation. Addressing directly to the Greenlandes, he said, “We strongly support their right to determine our own future, and if they choose, we welcome the United States of America.”

In a provocative tone, the US president said, “I think we’ll be able to, one way or another, we’ll get it,” which laughed among the Republican parliamentarians present.

Trump’s statements rekindled the debate on Greenland’s independence. In response, some island politicians have intensified the appeals for the Greenish government to accelerate discussions about a possible separation of Denmark.

However, Inuit Ataqatigit, Greenland’s main political force and currently in local government, has adopted a cautious stance. The party pointed out that possible independence needs to be discussed based on economic and social factors before any decision is made.

Denmark also positioned itself on the issue. Christina Markus Lassen, UN Danish Ambassador, reiterated that the decision on the future of Greenland fits exclusively to the Greenish people.

“Independence is possible, and they have the right to self -determination,” said Lassen.

However, the ambassador warned of the need to strengthen security in Arctic, especially in a geopolitical context in which cooperation with the United States and NATO has been essential.

Although he has no formal support from Copenhagen or a significant part of the Greenland population, Trump continues to show interest on the island. The US President continues to highlight Greenland’s strategic importance, besides his natural resources, as factors that justify his intention.

Trump’s insistence on this theme can generate new developments in relations between the United States and Denmark, as well as influence internal discussions in Greenland. However, in the current scenario, any change in the political status of the territory seems unlikely.