Key Takeaways:
- An intense phone call took place between President Trump and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
- Five days before his inauguration, Trump expressed interest in America overtaking Greenland.
- Greenland, an autonomous region of Denmark, has potential strategic value due to melting ice caps.
- This conversation was revealed to public by two anonymous European officials.
Making a Case for a ‘Cold’ Acquisition
As we traveled back in time to January 15, 2017, we would witness an interesting, somewhat aggressive, conversation over the telephone. This took place just five days before Donald Trump would step into the Oval Office as the President of the mighty United States. However, the call wasn’t just another congratulatory wish or a discussion related to a policy. It was something more audacious, even by Trump’s standards.
Trump, the then President-elect, connected with Mette Frederiksen, the Prime Minister of Denmark. The reason? A land deal, or to be more precise, a country deal. Interestingly, the plan wasn’t as simple as buying a piece of land, but it aimed at acquiring an entire gigantic island. Greenland!
Understanding Greenland’s Significance
Greenland, although a part of the Kingdom of Denmark, enjoys a certain degree of freedom. It governs its internal affairs, but Denmark takes care of its defense and foreign affairs. Known for the icy landscape, it isn’t just another piece of frozen land. Greenland has significant strategic importance in the geopolitical world.
As global warming takes a toll on Greenland’s ice caps, it is slowly revealing a new shipping route. The melting ice is opening up new sea lanes, making the location of Greenland very crucial for any country with a vision. That’s where Trump’s interest possibly resided.
The Help from Europe
Details about the phone conversation came from two unnamed European officials. These officials had been briefed about the call and its context but chose to remain anonymous for obvious reasons. The description they painted about the call was vivid – it was energetic, intense, and icy.
Trump’s Proposal and the Danish Response
Trump, known for his unconventional approach, made his intentions clear. He wanted his country to own Greenland. A request so unconventional and significant, it was bound to stir up responses, and it did.
Frederiksen, who leads Denmark, was taken aback. Overwhelmed, she had to comprehend the proposal, the rationale behind it, and its potential consequences. Even though the conversation was labeled as ‘intense’, the content of her response is still unknown.
This is a story that unveils a new facet of Trump’s administration and its audacious proposals. The reception of his request, the consequential reactions, and the undercurrents of this proposal are parts of a bigger, unfinished tale. As we brace ourselves for the ongoing melting of ice caps and their geopolitical implications, such historical interventions remain a point of interest for political enthusiasts globally.