Strategies for Trump to Acquire Greenland
In a shift from the past century's trend of nations refraining from purchasing territory, let's explore how Donald Trump's ambition to acquire Greenland from Denmark might still materialize in his second term. The last U.S. territory purchase was the Virgin Islands from Denmark in 1917, marking an antecedent.
However, acquiring Greenland directly would involve hefty costs, potentially reaching billions of dollars. So, how can we make this happen economically? Greenland could declare independence from Denmark, sparking a potential referendum as early as April. Once independent, Greenland could then apply for U.S. statehood, a strategy that has historical precedent.
America has seen a state emerge from separation – Texas broke away from Mexico in 1836, eventually becoming the 28th U.S. state. Such a move would bring various benefits for all parties involved. Denmark would no longer be required to subsidize Greenland, while Trump could claim the biggest U.S. territorial expansion in history, outdoing even the Louisiana Purchase from France or Alaska acquisition from Russia.
Furthermore, Greenland's strategic location and Chinese investments make it vital for U.S. security. Achieving statehood would solidify our security, much as Alaska did in the past. Democrats might embrace this opportunity due to the emergence of two Democratic Senate seats and a potential House seat sway, potentially boosting their electoral votes.
As for Greenlanders, the prospect of statehood ensures rock-solid security and immense political influence, as demonstrated by Nevada, a large state that was admitted to the Union with a smaller population in 1864. Greenland could also capitalize from mineral investments, ecotourism, and reduced unemployment, making it an attractive proposition for both parties.
If Greenland were to declare its independence from Denmark, it could then apply for U.S. statehood, following the historical precedent set by Texas breaking away from Mexico and becoming the 28th U.S. state. As a state of the U.S., Greenland would gain rock-solid security, similar to how Alaska did after it became a state, and would also attract massive mineral investments from the rest of the country. If Greenland were independent, Denmark would no longer be on the hook for the $1.5 billion promised to beef up the island's military defenses. Fact and comment, Donald Trump's ambition to acquire Greenland from Denmark may not materialize in his second term due to the hefty costs involved, but Greenland's strategic location and Chinese investments make it critical to U.S. security, and achieving statehood could solidify this security. China is a major investor in Greenland, holding 11% of its GDP.
