Donald Trump Jr visits Greenland only weeks after in-coming president declared he wants to take ownership

by Mick the Ram

Just two weeks after Donald Trump repeated his desire for the US to take control of the autonomous Danish territory of Greenland, his son, Donald Junior, has made an unofficial visit to the vast island.

The president-elect’s eldest child insisted it was just coincidental and his journey was simply a “very long, personal, day-trip” but many suspect an ulterior motive.

His father has reiterated that it is his belief that ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity for US national security and has added that the country and its people would “benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our nation”.

He had expressed an interest in buying the Arctic island during his previous term in office, but was rebuffed by Greenland’s leaders, who asserted that the island was not and will not be for sale.

Ominously, Mr Trump has gone on record to say he could not guarantee that economic or military coercion would not be needed to ensure economic security for the US.

However, in a strong show of support, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot were adamant that under no circumstances would the European Union allow other nations of the world to attack any of its sovereign borders… “whoever they are”.

Strategically important

Greenland has long been of strategic importance to the US, with Nuuk – the capital – being closer to New York than it is to Copenhagen.

It has also been home to a large American radar base since the Cold War and contains some of the largest deposits of rare earth minerals, which are crucial in the manufacture of batteries and high-tech devices.

Heavily subsidised

Nevertheless, the island’s economy is largely dependent on fishing, topped up by subsidies from Copenhagen and it remains part of the kingdom of Denmark.

The Prime Minister Mute Bourup Egede, said in December: “Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland” – of which the population is around 57,000.

Use of the Trump jet

The 47-year-old Donald Trump Jr, arrived in his father’s private jet – nicknamed Trump Force One – announcing to a waiting crowd that he was “excited” to be in the country, and drew some laughter when adding that it was “a little colder than in Florida”.

He was later pictured outside a controversial statue of Hans Egede, a Danish-Norwegian missionary who is seen as a symbol of Danish colonialism, and his entourage – which included controversial conservative activist Charlie Kirk – handed out “make Greenland great again” hats.  

Defence spending increased

It was on Christmas Eve that the Danish government announced a big increase in defence spending for Greenland, shortly after Mr Trump had spoken of his desire to purchase the island, threatening “very high” tariffs.

Mr Trump once again spoke of his intentions towards Greenland in a speech given when asked about his son’s reasons for visiting the island and once more refused to rule out using possible military coercion on the Danes to obtain their autonomous territory.

Concern over observations

In a worrying address, the president-elect made a wide variety of odd claims and suggestions, such as renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America” and commented at how windmills are “driving whales crazy!”

He even went as far as to say that the FBI was a key driver of the Capitol riot on 6 January 2021, alongside Hezbollah, the Islamist militant group.

Major European players give full support to Danes

Both Germany and France have warned Mr Trump against threatening Greenland with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz saying: “The principle of the inviolability of borders applies to every country, no matter whether it’s a very small one, or a very powerful one.”

He continued to remark that there was a “certain incomprehension” about statements coming from the incoming US administration.

The French Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot tried to play down any immediate threat when saying: “If you’re asking me whether I think the United States will invade Greenland, my answer is no.”

However, he maintained that they would not allow any intimidation, adding: “We must wake up and build up our strength”.