Greenland is in the headline President-elect Trump threatened Buy or just take? Probably a territory along with Canada and Panama.
some media This suggests that this is not just an empty threat. To America's neighbors, this may sound like another Manifest Destiny. To many, this is just a ridiculous posturing by a spotlight-hungry leader.
But this surreal moment offers an opportunity to better understand Greenland's unique position, if only to halt President Trump's misguided ambitions.
Often referred to as the world's largest island, Greenland lies just east of Nunavut, a Canadian territory with which the two countries share cultural and historical ties. It was colonized by the Kingdom of Denmark in the 18th century and has an indigenous majority. Inuit people make up about 90 percent of the territory's 56,000 inhabitants, with most of the remainder being Danes concentrated in the capital Nuuk.
Greenland is part of Denmark but partially independent from Denmark. In 1979 Greenland was granted autonomy. In 2008, 75% of Greenlanders voted to increase autonomy. Today, Greenland (Kalaalit Nunaat) has its own parliament, national flag, language policy, education control, resource management, and even membership in international organizations.
In a highly fragmented party system, Greenland's parliament (Inatsisartut) has long been ruled by the left-wing Social Democratic party Siumut. In 2021, the left-wing separatist party Inuit Attakatigiit won multiple seats and its leader, Mute Brupp Egede, became prime minister. This means that Greenland is currently led by separatists, although in coalition with other political parties. The ruling party attaches great importance to Greenland's sovereignty. Including rejecting rare earth mining projects It favors foreign companies and endangers the local environment.
There are significant obstacles to Greenland's independence. There is no single dominant party in the divided parliament, undermining the sense that the island has a single voice. Naturally in a sparsely populated area, there is significant regional division in the region, especially as the countryside resists centralization from Nuuk. Greenland has abundant natural resources, including fishing and mining, but remains dependent on economic transfers from Denmark.
Perhaps the main factor limiting the possibility of independence is that the territory enjoys real autonomy, with the possibility of even more. Although not nearly impossible, there is still no example in the world of a special region gaining significant autonomy and using it as a stepping stone to independence. This is because meaningful autonomy is often considered better than independence or incorporation.
Ethnic minorities are also recognized by national leaders and ruled by their own groups, making them less threatening to host countries. Separatists forced to govern also have to make compromises and sometimes find their policies inadequate. Overall, regions with substantial autonomy like Greenland are unlikely to gain independence.
This brings us back to Trump's threat to annex Greenland. There is no point in “buying” the island since Denmark is not selling it. Inuit people also have no intention of selling their homeland. While it is true that Greenland wants the United States as an ally and trading partner, joining the United States would be contrary to its pursuit of autonomy. As Greenland's leaders have made clear, there is no logic in exchanging one Western colonial power for another.
Greenland is reopeningbut it's not for sale. The Inuit people of Greenland also understand that there are limits to Puerto Rican and Native American autonomy. The United States has a poor track record of sharing power with ethnic minorities, and the same will be true of Greenland under President Trump. And when it comes to the threat of invasion, this includes one NATO member attacking another, which would theoretically trigger a war between the United States and its allies.
America's Greenland is just plain unfriendly. Greenland's cooperation with Denmark has increased its sense of autonomy. The country is aiming to diversify its foreign relations and trade partners, and is seeking better conditions not only with Canada but also with mining companies, such as deepening ties with the Inuit of Nunavut.
The threat of annexation runs counter to a potential partnership that best serves the interests of the peoples of Greenland and the United States.
Shane Barter is a professor of comparative politics at Soka University of America in Aliso Viejo, California.
