Trump reignites Greenland acquisition debate, sparks EU concerns
Donald Trump has not given up on plans to purchase Greenland from Denmark, a goal he could not accomplish during his first term. The island holds significant importance not only for Copenhagen but also for the European Union due to its deposits, which are vital for Europe's industry and energy transformation.
At a press conference on Tuesday, January 7th, Trump was asked whether he could assure that he would not use force to take control of areas such as Greenland. The President-elect declined to rule out such a possibility.
Trump questioned Denmark's claim to the island, suggesting that even if the country holds legitimate rights, it should cede control for the sake of national security. He emphasized the importance of safeguarding the free world, highlighting the visible presence of Chinese and Russian ships in the area as a pressing concern. The U.S. president-elect stated that such activity would not be tolerated.
The politician also warned that if Denmark does not comply, he might impose "very high-level tariffs" on it.
A strategic island for the EU
The Republican's remarks have sparked widespread commentary. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded in a statement to Danish TV2, reiterating that Greenland's aspirations for independence are justified and the island is not for sale. Frederiksen had already declined President Trump's offer to buy the island back in 2019.
An energy expert, Jakub Wiech, editor-in-chief of energetyka24.com, highlighted the island's significance for the European Union on LinkedIn.
"Trump talking about the US taking over Greenland is Trump snatching key resource deposits for energy transformation from the European Union," he wrote.
"Out of 34 raw materials identified by the European Commission as strategically important for Europe's industry and green transformation, 25 can be extracted in satisfactory quantities in Greenland," he added.
"He will sell them back to us, of course, but remember, it's the EU that has been intensively working on acquiring them for two years. An agreement on this matter was signed at the end of 2023," reminded Jakub Wiech.
