DAVOS, Switzerland — Donald Trump says he is seriously considering a possibly hostile takeover of a place called Greenland, a very large snow-covered venue almost adjacent to the North Pole. But it's filled with natural resources and strategically located to our north, which is why Donald probably wants it as the 51st.
I'm in Davos for the World Economic Forum, literally a gathering of investment bankers, so I thought I'd ask about the feasibility of such a deal.
The answer, which may surprise you, was: “It's difficult, but not impossible.”
As you may remember, that was exactly the answer Michael Corleone in “The Godfather II” when he asked about the possibility of killing his power rival Hyman Roth. Michael meets the fugitive Ross at the airport and takes a blow from one of his right-hand men, Rocco Lampone, to beat him up despite being surrounded by police.
Ross did meet and was killed at a high price. Lampone puts a slug in Ross's intestines and dies.
Occupying Greenland could be similarly troubling. President Trump has not ruled out military use, citing Greenland's strategic importance to U.S. self-preservation and its rich natural resources as fully justified. China and Russia are increasingly encroaching on our territory and establishing business relations with the autonomous Danish territory.
And of course, we protect that location even when they're doing business with global adversaries.
But before the bullets fly, Wall Street dealmakers, here in Davos and in New York, are starting to think about how to proceed peacefully with the deal, and how viable it might be.
The biggest obstacle, as you might expect, is said to be money.
“I'm sure it's irreplaceable in the hearts of people in Denmark and certainly in Greenland,” one Wall Street CEO told me.
That's a good point. How do you rate the country? How do we put a price tag on the future value of Greenland's mineral deposits?
via Reuters
Again, it's difficult, but not impossible. Everything has a price. President Trump has challenged Denmark and those leading this issue to speak Chinese or Russian or both, without the United States monitoring their country and considering it part of our sphere of influence. They may insist that you prepare to start speaking.
Try putting a price tag on it.
However, there is also an issue to consider called the “eminent domain.” This legal structure allows the U.S. government to seize property in the United States based on compelling national interests and fairly compensate owners. However, expanding this internationally would create a terrible precedent.
“A prominent domain would be considered a global threat,” the CEO told me. It may give credence that China will finally take action against Taiwan.
That's true, but China is likely already moving against Taiwan, and unlike its relationship with Greenland, China is not defending Taiwan.
That's why when I asked about Greenland becoming the 51st state, another banking executive said:
“LOL, I think it might happen,” he said.
The banker, like me, was reminded of another scene from the “Godfather” series. Young Michael Corleone tried to take over Moe Greene's casino.. Green didn't think anything of it, but Michael ominously replied, “I'm going to New York tomorrow. Think about the price.”
Green didn't, but you know what happened next.
