President Donald Trump released a statement Sunday inviting the people of Greenland to become part of the U.S. ahead of elections this week in Greenland.
The comments are the latest from the president offering to allow Greenland, a self-governing territory belonging to Denmark, into the U.S. Under the U.S. Constitution, Congress has the power to accept a new state into the Union, so the move is not beyond the realm of possibility.
Icy Greenland is mostly uninhabited for its large size, with just over 50,000 people, mostly Inuit, living on largely on the coasts of the frozen island.
“As I made clear during my Joint Address to Congress, the United States strongly supports the people of Greenland’s right to determine their own future,” Trump said on TruthSocial. “We will continue to KEEP YOU SAFE, as we have since World War II. We are ready to INVEST BILLIONS OF DOLLARS to create new jobs and MAKE YOU RICH — And, if you so choose, we welcome you to be a part of the Greatest Nation anywhere in the World, the United States of America!”
Trump has cited economic and national security benefits to the U.S. Greenland, which could offer minerals and important proximity to Russia.
Experts say as ice continues to melt in the Arctic, more shipping and military ship routes could open up that could change global trade and the defensive relationship between the U.S. and Russia. More mining and drilling exploration could open up as well.
Recent polling suggests that for now the majority of Greenland residents do not want to join the U.S., though independence from Denmark seems to have growing support. Greenlanders head to the polls Tuesday for their own national election.
Trump made similar comments about Greenland in his joint address to Congress.
“We strongly support your right to determine your own future, and, if you choose, we welcome you into the United States of America,” Trump said in his speech. “We need Greenland for national security and even international security, and we’re working with everybody involved to try and get it. But we need it, really, for international world security.
“And I think we’re going to get it,” Trump added. “One way or the other, we’re going to get it. We will keep you safe. We will make you rich. And together, we will take Greenland to heights like you have never thought possible before.”
