Let’s take a step back and look at the broader picture.

President Trump has said he wants Greenland for national security reasons, citing concerns about Russia and China. Greenland’s location in the Arctic Circle means it is well placed for surveillance and early warning systems in the event of a missile attack.

During the Cold War, the United States had plans to deploy nuclear missiles to the island, but abandoned the plan due to technical problems and Danish opposition.

Greenland was under Danish rule for approximately 300 years and was a colony until the mid-20th century.

In recent years, interest in Greenland’s natural resources such as rare earth minerals, uranium, and iron has increased. There may also be significant oil and gas reserves.

Mineral resources are a key focus for President Trump in other areas as well, including trade with Ukraine. However, the US president insists that “Greenland is necessary from a national security perspective.”