A Republican congressman in the United States has formally introduced legislation aimed at annexing Greenland, aligning with former President Donald Trump's repeated public threats to acquire the vast Arctic territory.
The Greenland Annexation and Statehood Act
Florida Representative Randy Fine revealed he has drafted the 'Greenland Annexation and Statehood Act'. The proposed legislation would empower the US government to "find the means necessary" to bring the island, currently an autonomous territory of Denmark, into the American union. This provocative move is set to further strain relations between the US and its long-standing NATO ally, Denmark.
Congressman Fine justified the act by invoking national security concerns in the Arctic region. "Let me be clear, our adversaries are trying to establish a foothold in the Arctic, and we can’t let that happen," he stated. "By acquiring Greenland, we would prevent our adversaries from controlling the Arctic Region and secure our northern flank from Russia and China." These claims echo assertions made during the Trump administration, though they were not supported by publicly shared credible evidence.
Overwhelming Opposition and Diplomatic Fallout
The proposal faces monumental hurdles, both domestically and internationally. Crucially, the people of Greenland have shown little appetite for becoming American citizens. A Verian survey conducted last year found that 85% of Greenlanders oppose leaving Denmark to join the US, with only 6% in favour.
Denmark has consistently refused to sell the territory and has vowed to defend it from any attack. As a NATO member, an assault on Greenland would be considered an attack on the entire alliance, obliging the US and other members to come to its defence. The US already enjoys extensive treaty rights with Denmark, including operating military bases and extracting resources on the island.
American public opinion is also largely against forceful acquisition. A recent YouGov poll indicated that 73% of Americans oppose using military force to take Greenland, with a mere 8% in support.
Political Hurdles and Counter-Legislation
The future of Fine's act is highly uncertain, with unclear prospects for passage in either the House or Senate. In a direct response, Democratic Senator for Arizona, Ruben Gallego, has introduced an amendment designed to block the use of military force against Greenland.
The controversy revisits Donald Trump's well-documented interest in purchasing Greenland, an idea he has suggested pursuing by force if necessary. The Danish government has previously dismissed such notions as "absurd," and the new legislative push is likely to be met with similar disdain in Copenhagen and Nuuk.
