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Greenland lies on the shortest route from North America to Europe, making it strategically important for the US.
Donald Trump Jr has announced plans to visit Greenland, two weeks after his father reiterated that the US should take control of the self-governing Danish territory. The son of the US president-elect plans to videotape his private one-day visit for a podcast, according to US media.
Trump Jr's visit raises questions as it comes shortly after Donald Trump sparked controversy in December by declaring that "ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity" for US national security.
He had also expressed interest in buying the Arctic island during his first term as president. Greenland's political leadership reacted to Trump's statements on both occasions.
" We are not for sale. Greenland belongs to its people ," Prime Minister Mute Egende said in December.
President-elect Trump confirmed his son's trip on social media platform Truth Social yesterday, Monday.
He said Don Jr and "various representatives" will travel to Greenland to visit some of its wonderful sites and attractions. Trump added that Greenland and its people will benefit immensely if and when it becomes part of our nation.
Strategic importance
Greenland lies on the shortest route from North America to Europe, making it strategically important for the US. It is also home to a major US space facility.
The president-elect's eldest son has played a key role in the 2024 US election campaign, appearing frequently at rallies and in the media. But he will not travel to Greenland on behalf of his father's incoming government, according to Denmark's foreign ministry.
Increase in defense spending
Hours after Trump's latest intervention, the Danish government announced a massive increase in defense spending for Greenland. Danish Defense Minister Trolls Lund Poulsen described the timing of the announcement as "ironic".
Yesterday, Monday, Denmark's King Frederik changed the royal coat of arms to more prominently include depictions of Greenland and the Faroe Islands.
Some saw the move as a response to Trump, but it could also be seen as controversial by Greenland's separatist movement. In addition, King Frederik used his New Year's speech to say that the Kingdom of Denmark is united "as far as Greenland".
But Greenland's prime minister used his New Year's speech to push for independence from Denmark, saying the island must be freed from the "shackles of colonialism".
The idea of 1860
Trump is not the first American president to propose the purchase of Greenland. The idea was first floated by the country's 17th president, Andrew Johnson, in the 1860s.
In recent weeks, Trump has threatened to take back control of the Panama Canal, one of the world's most important waterways. It has accused Panama of charging excessive fees for access to it. The President of Panama responded by saying that "every square meter" of the canal and the surrounding area belongs to his country./ Adapted "Pamphlet" from "Kathimerini"
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