Since his inauguration as president in January, Donald Trump has made public comments about annexing both Canada and Greenland, causing alarm in those countries and leading to tense relations with the U.S.
To annex something means to add it as an extra. Therefore, Trump wanted to add Canada and Greenland, along with Panama to the United States. Many have questioned this decision, seeing it as one that interferes with alliances and damages relations.
Many wonder why Trump wants this extra land when the US is already the third largest country by landmass in the world. Trump highly values Canada and Greenland’s massive amounts of natural resources. This includes timber, minerals and, most importantly, oil for drilling.
Not only that, but with increased tensions with Russia and China, Trump has been motivated to plan for any chance of war or conflict, given Greenalnd’s closer proximity to Russia. Another claim of his is that the addition of Greenland would give the US military an advantage in intercepting any possible aggression from Russia.
Many point out that the US already has the Pituffik Space Base, a defense outpost on the northwest coast of Greenland, equipped with missile warning, missile defense and space surveillance operations.
Many American citizens have voiced concerns that Trump is overly aggressive towards our own allies, which, in turn, creates distrust and damages relations.
Trump has made the claim that annexation of Canada and Greenland would benefit their people with increased purchasing power and better economic benefits.
Many Canadians and Greenlanders have spoken on this issue, with some actually in agreement that being part of the US would help them financially, but a very large percentage (around 85 percent) felt that the proposal was rather disrespectful and do not support it. This is because many people highly value being part of a sovereign nation and not being owned by another country.
The direct reactions of the countries’ governments from former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Danish member of the European Parliament Anders Vistisen were very clear: they both want no part of Trump’s plans for their lands.
Trudeau gave a speech in regard to the annexation plans, where he acknowledged the damaged relationship between the neighboring countries; however, he separated the government and still showed respect for the American people.
Vistisen was not as patient, telling Trump he wanted nothing to do with him. Vistisen’s exact quote, however, was much more vulgar.
As the world and the politics within it are ever-changing, the frequency of these proposals to Canada and Greenland have been toned down following these responses. Instead, Trump has fired back with tariffs on Canada and other trade partners, further weakening relations.
