Donal Trump Jr., the son of the president-elect of the United States, arrived in Greenland after statements by his father about the idea of buying the territory. Trump Jr. is a key player in the presidential transition team.
US President-elect Donald Trump told Greenland residents that “we will treat you well” as his eldest son visited the mineral-rich Danish territory, which is home to a large US military base.
Trump Jr. made the daylong trip to record video content for a podcast, according to a person familiar with the plans who was not authorized to speak publicly. Trump's eldest son has become a prominent fixture in his father's political movement and has served on his presidential transition team.
The visit, however, has strong political connotations. The president-elect has expressed his desire – which he also expressed during his first presidency – to acquire the vast Arctic territory, an area of strategic importance for the United States, China, Russia and other countries.
Trump published a video on Tuesday showing a plane with the word TRUMP landing in Nuuk, the capital of the Arctic territory, in a landscape of snow-capped peaks and fjords.
“Don Jr. and my representatives landing in Greenland,” Trump wrote. “The reception has been great. They, and the free world, need security, strength and PEACE. This is a deal that needs to happen! MAGA. “LET'S RETURN GREATNESS TO GREENLAND!” Trump highlighted in reference to his campaign slogan Make American Great Again.
In a statement, the Greenland government said that Trump Jr.'s visit was being carried out “as a private individual” and not as an official visit, and that he would not meet with Greenlandic representatives.
Mininguaq Kleist, permanent secretary of Greenland's ministry of state and foreign affairs, told The Associated Press that authorities were informed that Trump Jr. would stay for 4 to 5 hours. Neither Trump Jr.'s delegation nor Greenlandic government officials requested a meeting, he noted.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Tuesday that Greenland's future will be decided by Greenland, calling the United States Denmark's most important ally. “Greenland is not for sale,” Frederiksen said, adding that “we need to stay calm and stick to our principles.”
Greenland, the largest island in the world, lies between the Atlantic and Arctic oceans, and 80% of its surface is covered by a sheet of ice. The autonomous territory has about 56,000 residents, most of them indigenous Inuit.
Greenland's Prime Minister Múte Egede has called for the island's independence. In a New Year's speech he expressed that it would be a way for Greenland to free itself from its colonial past. But he has also said he has no interest in Greenland becoming part of the United States, and insisted the island is not for sale.
Independence has become a key issue ahead of a parliamentary election in the territory. A date has not yet been set, but it must be done no later than April 6.
Greenland, a former colony of Denmark, gained self-government in 1979, which it exercises through its parliament. Copenhagen still has control over the territory's foreign and defense policy. A treaty with the United States, which included the American base, also gives Washington a say over the defense of the territory.
Danish King Frederik The king's power is largely symbolic.
Last month, the king issued a royal decree to change Denmark's coat of arms to include fields representing Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Greenland is represented by a silver bear with a red tongue. The royal announcement indicates that, since 1194, the royal coat of arms “visually symbolizes the legitimacy and sovereignty of the State and the monarch.”
“We are all united and each of us is committed to the Kingdom of Denmark,” Frederik said in his New Year's speech, adding: “All the way to Greenland.”
The idea of the United States purchasing Greenland, located near the North American landmass, is not new, and the first attempts were made in the late 19th century.
During his first term, Trump entertained the idea of purchasing Greenland. He canceled a trip to Denmark in August 2019 when the prime minister dismissed the idea.
Reviving the issue in a statement issued last month to announce the official chosen as US ambassador to Denmark, Trump wrote: “For reasons of national security and freedom around the world, the United States of America believes that the ownership and control of Greenland are an absolute necessity.”