US President Donald Trump's recent comments about acquiring Greenland have sent shockwaves through the small island nation and its longtime ally, Denmark. The move has sparked widespread outrage among Greenlanders, who feel betrayed by Trump's aggressive rhetoric.
Greenland, which is home to around 57,000 people, has been a vital strategic location for the US since World War II. In 1951, the two countries agreed on a deal that gave the US free access to the island and its resources, including oil, gas, and minerals. However, Trump's recent comments have led some Greenlanders to wonder if this deal is still valid.
"I actually love the United States," said Tillie Martinussen, a former member of parliament from Greenland. "Don't get me wrong at all. I mean, one of my dreams was actually going from east to west there in a car." However, she also expressed concern that Trump's comments were testing the islanders' trust in their longtime ally.
The name "Greenland" has become synonymous with ice and snow, but its history is more complex than many people realize. According to Robert Christian Thomsen, a professor of social sciences at Aalborg University in Denmark, the name was actually given by Erik the Red, a Viking who settled on the island around 985 AD.
Thomsen pointed out that Greenland is strategically located near the North Pole and is only 800 miles from Moscow. He also noted that climate change has made the island more accessible for commercial and military vessels, as well as mining operations.
The US government's interest in acquiring Greenland dates back to the 19th century, but nothing materialized at the time. In 1917, however, the US did buy territory from Denmark: three islands in the Caribbean that are now part of the US Virgin Islands.
Since then, the island has played a vital role in the US military's strategic plans. The US established a base on the island during World War II and used it as a refueling hub for bombers. Today, Greenland remains an important location for the US military, but its acquisition by the US is still widely opposed among Greenlanders.
As one protester was quoted saying, "We have been good allies for 80 years, which makes this treachery feeling so strong in us right now." The islanders are urging Trump to reconsider his plans and maintain their trust as a key partner.
Greenland, which is home to around 57,000 people, has been a vital strategic location for the US since World War II. In 1951, the two countries agreed on a deal that gave the US free access to the island and its resources, including oil, gas, and minerals. However, Trump's recent comments have led some Greenlanders to wonder if this deal is still valid.
"I actually love the United States," said Tillie Martinussen, a former member of parliament from Greenland. "Don't get me wrong at all. I mean, one of my dreams was actually going from east to west there in a car." However, she also expressed concern that Trump's comments were testing the islanders' trust in their longtime ally.
The name "Greenland" has become synonymous with ice and snow, but its history is more complex than many people realize. According to Robert Christian Thomsen, a professor of social sciences at Aalborg University in Denmark, the name was actually given by Erik the Red, a Viking who settled on the island around 985 AD.
Thomsen pointed out that Greenland is strategically located near the North Pole and is only 800 miles from Moscow. He also noted that climate change has made the island more accessible for commercial and military vessels, as well as mining operations.
The US government's interest in acquiring Greenland dates back to the 19th century, but nothing materialized at the time. In 1917, however, the US did buy territory from Denmark: three islands in the Caribbean that are now part of the US Virgin Islands.
Since then, the island has played a vital role in the US military's strategic plans. The US established a base on the island during World War II and used it as a refueling hub for bombers. Today, Greenland remains an important location for the US military, but its acquisition by the US is still widely opposed among Greenlanders.
As one protester was quoted saying, "We have been good allies for 80 years, which makes this treachery feeling so strong in us right now." The islanders are urging Trump to reconsider his plans and maintain their trust as a key partner.
Acquiring Greenland? Are you kidding me?! It's like trying to own the last slice of pizza 
at the party... everyone wants it! But seriously, I don't get why Trump is doing this. I know some folks might say it's about strategic importance and all that, but I think he's just trying to flex his muscles a bit too much 
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. Greenland has been an ally for so long, and now they're feeling like Trump is trying to stab them in the back 
. And what's with this "treasure hunt" mentality, anyway? 
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It's not like there's gold at the end of the rainbow... or something 
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. And climate change is making it more accessible for other countries to exploit, not just the US 
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We should be supporting each other, not trying to take each other's stuff 
. Anyway, I hope Trump thinks twice about this one... or maybe he'll just tweet his way out of it 
.
I mean, have you seen those glaciers? They're not just ice and snow, they're like liquid diamonds 
not some pawn in Trump's game of global geopolitics 
It's not just some icy wasteland, it's got strategic value and proximity to Moscow. This isn't a colonialist move, it's a security threat.
. maybe this is an opportunity for us to reevaluate our relationship with greenland and make sure we're being fair and respectful? 
? They've been trying 2 acquire it 4eva since WW2 
! But what's really got people upset is Trump's comments 
. Like, 57k ppl can't just be ignored 
. And let's not 4get Greenland's rich history 
- from Vikings 2 climate change 
. Trump's gotta listen 2 the ppl & maintain their trust 
. Here are some stats 4 u:
!
not. gotta give it 2 them tho, they r speakin out & makin their voices heard 
it's not like the US has been exploiting them for decades or anything... *cough* wwii bases and mining operations *wink*
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. Trump might think he's making a deal, but this is a huge power play that could damage US-Denmark relations forever 
. The people of Greenland deserve better than to be pawns in a global game 
it's like he thinks he can just swoop in and take this amazing country for himself without even considering the people who live there?!?! 57,000 ppl are not just tiny dots on a map, you know! they have feelings, families, homes... and it's SO unfair that trump is testing their trust in denmark, their longtime ally 
Greenland's name has nothing to do with its ice and snow (although those are pretty cool too 
), but with viking erik the red who settled there like 1000 years ago! and now trump wants to just go and take it over?! 
i guess some ppl think it's worth something (and maybe they do? 
It's crazy how much strategic value this island holds, especially with climate change making it more accessible for commercial and military operations 
Greenlanders are super upset and rightfully so they feel betrayed by trump's aggressive comments. i mean, who knows what's behind these plans but it doesn't look good for the island or its people.
like what is going on w/ US President Trump?! I'm literally shook by the way he's talking about acquiring Greenland 
I mean, they've been good allies for 80 years! 
We don't need some Trump being all aggressive & stuff 
Greenland is more than just a strategic location btw, it's got history & culture too 
. Greenland is like, super strategic location already, what's the point of takin it? 
It's not just about oil and gas, it's about security and friendship with denmark 
. I mean, 80 years of good relations and now he's just betraying them? 
. I think it's crazy that he doesn't realize the significance of Greenland being so close to Russia and Moscow 
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i'm all about supporting usa but this is just wrong. greenland needs to be left alone, they're already dealing with climate change and stuff. trumps comments are just gonna make things worse.