As he appointed PayPal co-founder Ken Howery as his choice for U.S. ambassador to Denmark on Sunday, President-elect Trump hinted at assuming control of Greenland.
The overall picture: When Danish officials stated that the autonomous territory that is a part of their country was not for sale, Trump canceled a state visit to Denmark and stated during his first administration that he was considering the possibility of the United States purchasing Greenland.
Earlier in the weekend, he demanded that Panamanian authorities either cede management of the Panama Canal to the United States or reduce rates for U.S. ships to transit it.
In a post on Truth Social on Howery, Trump stated, “The United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity for purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World.”
“Ken will do a wonderful job in representing the interests of the United States.”
Axios asked for more information on the president-elect’s intentions regarding Greenland, but Trump’s aides did not immediately reply.
Background: Since 1867, the United States has contemplated or made multiple attempts to purchase Greenland, the biggest island in the world that is not a continent.
Despite being a part of North America, Greenland has strong geopolitical ties to Europe and has been funded by the EU because it is considered an overseas territory connected to the bloc through Denmark.
According to study, the region is already seeing the effects of climate change, and the territory has access to the Arctic, where countries have been vying for resources.
In recent years, Russia has attempted to assert its territorial claims up to the Exclusive Economic Zone of Greenland.
Gold, silver, copper, and uranium are among the natural resources found in Greenland, and the waters off the region are thought to have substantial oil potential.