Trump wrote: "For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity."

The Trump statement does not mean "buying" or "invading" Greenland. In fact, Trump is simply reinforcing the need to control the Western hemisphere, the American continents, just like in any other case where the Monroe doctrine has been exercised in the past. Is it based on superiority, dominance, and supremacy and therefore appalling to some? Yes, but so is the Danish influence as of today.

Why is the US not happy with that Danish influence?

• Because the US can see through Denmark’s role in Greenland, especially since the consulate was established in Nuuk in June 2020. It is easy for outsiders to see that Denmark is perpetuating its influence on Greenland through continued colonial mechanisms: A Danish dominated upper class, Danish language influence through education and higher-level jobs, trade directed towards Denmark, a continued reference to commonly shared Danish values, and the overarching Danish dominance on Greenland in foreign politics through its territorial rights.
• It is also easy to see that the Danes have a pretty good deal: They pay close to USD 600m/year, but get most of it back (!) in terms of salaries or goods to Danish people, they retain a seat among the world powers in an increasingly important part of the world, act as transit point for all Greenland imports and exports, and they even get very close to 50% of all earnings from minerals extracted from Greenland. Remember that if a deal is too good for one of the sides, then that deal is very easy to dismiss, if there is an alternative. The Danes tend to forget that, because until now, there has been no other real contender.
• However, the Danish influence continues to weaken: Greenlanders are becoming increasingly aware of how Denmark has exercised its colonial power in the past, and up to this date. There is no question about the desire to become independent from Denmark. Greenland was never given the choice. Instead, Denmark tricked UN into approving the annexation of Greenland into Denmark in 1954.
• Greenlanders want to take part in the work at UN under its own flag, be the Greenlandic member of the Arctic Council and have a voice in the global community, not through Denmark, but through the voice of Greenland. Greenlanders want to trade and engage as Greenlanders, not as Danish citizens, in politics, business, sports and cultural events.
• Also, the Danish ability to uphold the sovereignty of Denmark is nearly non-existent: The Danish joint forces in its Arctic Command has 3 cutters in Western Greenland, a Challenger jet (when it flies), and a few people in North East of Greenland running a dog sled based operation and will not be able to deter anyone, or for that matter monitor the area 50 times bigger than Denmark itself. It does serve as a SAR and fishing inspection unit for Greenland, and does that very well, like a Coast Guard.
• When LIFE magazine asked the question in 1940, 59% of Americans wanted to fight for Greenland’s independence from the Axis powers in World War 2. The Danes had already succumbed to the German forces at that time and had no say.

In conclusion: The Danish colonial power is weakening and gradually falling apart. Denmark is a very weak post-colonial guardian for Greenland, and it is becoming weaker day by day. For the USA, there is simply no room for weakness in an arctic region which has the potential of becoming the geographical center of trade as well as conflicts.

"Ownership" in the Trump sense of the word, is all about allegiance and loyalty. What Trump wants to "buy" is a 100% guarantee that Greenland is loyal to whatever the US wish to see happening to protect its interests. Well, this will happen anyway, even if the Danish are the middlemen, because Denmark is so ridiculously small compared to the US. So why have the Danes as the middlemen?

In fact, having the Danes to complicate the deal with Greenland only acts as additional risk for the US, simply because Greenland, when given an opportunity, can invoke the right for full self-determination through the "self-governance act of 2009". Until now, Denmark has been confident that no other part will take over any of the "obligations" that Denmark like to call their block-grant, which, in reality, is a state subsidy to Denmark itself. So, Denmark is merely an unnecessary layer or noise when it comes to actions to protect the territorial integrity of the Americas / Western Hemisphere.

Where does this leave us now? The reaction from Danish politicians clearly demonstrates that for once, Denmark is the one being suppressed. Danish politicians call it absurd, out of bounds, that is not how allies treat each other, Greenland is Danish etc. These statements are not only showing Denmark as the little man, but it also shows that deep down the representatives of the state of Denmark sees Greenland as being Denmark’s possession. It is ironic, because Denmark has bought, or tricked UN into approving to take over Greenland itself in 1954.

The discussion is not about buying Greenland. But we as Greenlanders are certainly able to liaise and ally ourselves with someone who will allow us to be whom we are, as an independent nation, irrespective of our shortcomings economically speaking for now, but with a clear and unambiguous goal of becoming economically independent one day as well.

The renewed US move to dismantle the Danish hypocrisy through the continuation of 50 years of continued colonization can stop if we act correctly on this alternative.

This is not about deselecting the Danes that we love. There are many Danes who are genuine friends of Greenland and Greenlandic people. They will continue to be there. Just like the true friends of Greenland from other parts of the world. But friends in Denmark, even family, cannot stop the Danish state from continuing its quest to completely take over Greenland and Greenlandic culture through a long term cultural and physical assimilation. This continued colonization must stop.

Trump has opened a path for a dialogue, and he has even stressed how important this is for the USA and the world. Let's explore that with an open mind.

Verner Hammeken, December 24, 2024.