President-elect Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that he would not dismiss the possibility of using military force to take control of the Panama Canal and Greenland, noting that U.S. control of both was essential for national security, according to AP.
Trump likely has his eyes on Greenland due to its strategic location between the US, Russia, and Europe, making it a vital choke point with economic and defense benefits.
“We need Greenland for national security purposes,” Trump said. “I’m talking about protecting the free world. You have Chinese ships all over the place. You have Russian ships all over the place. We’re not letting that happen.”
Trump previously planned to purchase Greenland and was looking for ways the US could buy the Arctic island in 2019, The Guardian reported.
Greenland also has a supply of oil and gas, which has attracted interest from around the world, including from the US’s biggest rival, China, which has threatened to restrict the export of minerals. Since China dominates the global rare earth mineral production, the US could secure a new resource for oil.
The rapid melting of the island’s ice cap could also open up oil drilling and mineral mining opportunities.
Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has said the autonomous territory is “not for sale,” telling TV2: “Seen through the eyes of the Danish government, Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders.”
Trump has also threatened Denmark with the use of tariffs “at a very high level” to coerce the kingdom into giving up its territory.
Greenland is located northeast of Canada and has a population of around 60,000 people. It is a semi-autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark with its own elected government.