'Absolute necessity': After Panama, Trump again threatens to takeover Greenland

After saying that the United States should take back the Panama Canal, US President-elect Donald Trump renewed his interest in Greenland. This is not the first time the Republican firebrand expressed his intention to buy Greenland, his crusade started back in 2019.

He insisted that taking over Greenland is an “absolute necessity,” for ensuring national security. “For purposes of national security and freedom throughout the world, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

While Greenland operates according to autonomous self-rule, it is still part of the Kingdom of Denmark. The island is part of North America, many find it uncomfortable that it is governed by a European nation. The 78-year-old Republican leader made the remarks while naming PayPal co-founder Ken Howery as the American Ambassador to Denmark. “Ken will do a wonderful job in representing the interests of the United States,” he added.

Not the first time

Back in 2019, Trump indicated that he wanted to purchase Greenland. At that time, he was mostly interested in the region’s natural resources and geopolitical relevance. Despite the then president’s frequent remarks on the matter, leaders in Denmark were not jazzed about his instances.

“Greenland is not for sale. Greenland is not Danish. Greenland belongs to Greenland. I strongly hope that this is not meant seriously,” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said during a visit to Greenland in 2019. Frustrated by Trump’s rebuttal, Trump cancelled a meeting with her because she called Trump’s proposition “absurd”.

Despite several attempts, the plan to purchase Greenland ultimately fizzled out during Trump’s term. The idea was totally abandoned by US President Joe Biden’s administration. With the recent comments, it seems that Trump is interested in reviving his project after he takes back the Oval Office.

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A day before Trump’s proposition to buy Greenland, he also pledged to take back the Panama Canal. Trump made the provocative remarks after he accused the Central American nation of charging excessive rates for using the passage.

“The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama by the US,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social late Saturday. The comments came a little more than a month before he took over the Oval Office once again. “This complete ‘rip-off’ of our Country will immediately stop….” he furthered.

In the same post, the American President-elect warned that he would not let the canal fall into the “wrong hands”. He also raised alarms over potential Chinese influence over the passage, insisting that the canal should not be managed by Beijing. Trump emphasised that Panama was a “vital national asset’ for the United States, calling it “crucial” for the country’s commerce and national security.

With inputs from agencies.