As Trump is about to take office in the White House again, his remarks about 'grabbing land' have not only not subsided but have instead become the focus of international public opinion. On Trump's 'shopping list,' Greenland, the Panama Canal, and Canada are prominently listed. At first hearing, most people might laugh it off; however, upon exploring the history and strategic logic of the United States, it is not difficult to find that the plan to seize Greenland, in particular, is especially noteworthy and highly feasible.
Historical Reflection: The Independence and Annexation Path of Texas
From the original 13 states at its founding, the United States has expanded to 50 states today, and its territorial expansion history is a complex geopolitical epic. Among them, Texas's path to annexation provides a valuable template for potential future territorial actions by the United States. Texas originally belonged to Mexico, but after Mexico's independence, facing pressure from indigenous peoples, it opened its doors to American immigrants in an attempt to bolster Texas with European settlers. However, when the ratio of American to Mexican immigrants reached 4:1, the Texas independence movement erupted in 1835. The United States quickly recognized the Republic of Texas, while Mexico attempted to suppress it by force but failed with the aid of American weaponry.
Afterward, Texas existed as an independent nation for several years. Due to its flag having only one star, it was referred to as the 'Lone Star Flag,' and 'Lone Star Republic' became the nickname for the Republic of Texas. Ultimately, in a national referendum on whether to merge with the United States, the vast majority of eligible Texas voters cast their votes in favor (7,664 votes to 430 votes). Nine years after Texas's independence, the U.S. Congress finally passed a bill to accept Texas as the 28th state of the United States.
Hawaii: The profound changes from a kingdom to a state
The history of the Kingdom of Hawaii is another tragic tale of the impact of foreign civilizations and the demise of native culture. In 1810, Chief Kamehameha established the Kingdom of Hawaii and subsequently established diplomatic relations with countries like Britain, France, and the United States. However, the native Hawaiian population plummeted from 800,000 to 45,000 due to a lack of immunity to foreign diseases. Hawaii's strategic position made it the focal point of competition among Britain, France, and the United States in the 19th century. In 1877, the United States used the threat of war to prevent Britain and France from controlling Hawaii, ostensibly to protect its independence while actually plotting for a long time. In 1893, the last queen of Hawaii attempted to restore royal power, provoking dissatisfaction among European and American immigrants, and the United States took the opportunity to support a puppet government, forcing the queen to abdicate. In 1898, the United States formally annexed Hawaii, and it wasn't until 1959 that Hawaii became the 50th state of the United States.
Greenland: Independence inclination and the influence of the United States
The historical trajectory of Greenland is remarkably similar to the U.S. acquisitions of Texas and Hawaii. As a former Danish colony, Greenland was declared a state of Denmark in 1953, but this move sparked strong resistance from residents. After relentless efforts, in 1979, Greenland gained internal self-governance, but it remained under Danish control in foreign affairs, defense, and justice. Greenland continues to seek more autonomy, and in a 2008 self-governance referendum, it received over 75% support. In 2009, it reached an agreement with Denmark (the Greenland Self-Government Act), achieving a high degree of autonomy. Nevertheless, Greenlanders still have a strong inclination towards independence, and the self-governing government has declared independence as its ultimate goal, planning new actions during the next parliamentary elections.
Greenland has a sparse population of about 57,000, primarily composed of Eskimos, with a weak sense of identity with Denmark. Historically, the United States has made several attempts to acquire Greenland, including a purchase proposal in 1867 and occupation during World War II. After World War II, President Truman proposed to Denmark to exchange Greenland for $100 million in gold and rights to Alaskan oil fields, but the offer was rejected. Subsequently, the United States established military bases in Greenland, continually strengthening its influence. During Trump's tenure, he expressed interest in purchasing Greenland and even suggested exchanging it for Puerto Rico, which was rejected, but the influence of the United States over Greenland cannot be underestimated.
Potential strategies: Island purchase and promoting independence
Throughout American history, there have been numerous precedents for acquiring territory for money, such as the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and the purchase of Alaska in 1867. Therefore, Trump's preferred plan remains 'island purchase,' which entails low risk, high returns, short timeframes, and the possibility of avoiding internal NATO conflicts. Although Denmark has repeatedly emphasized that Greenland is 'not for sale,' under Trump's tariffs and military threats, whether Denmark can maintain its position remains uncertain.
If purchasing the island fails, Trump has a Plan B, which is to promote Greenland's independence first and then join the United States. Considering Greenland's post-independence survival difficulties, including economic dependence on the Danish government, the challenges in developing rare earth and oil resources, and the lack of military self-defense capabilities, it is not impossible to join the United States through a referendum after independence. From an economic perspective, Denmark provides about $70 million annually to Greenland, and for the United States, even doubling that expenditure would only be a fraction of its massive military budget.
In 1951, the United States signed an agreement with Denmark, promising to protect Greenland from attack; however, 74 years later, the potential greatest threat comes from the United States itself. This raises a thought-provoking question: 'Is it dangerous to be an enemy of the United States, and can one truly be safe as an ally of the United States?'
Therefore, the United States' coveting of Greenland is not unfounded but is based on its historical experiences, geopolitical considerations, and strategic interests. It is just that Trump's remarks after his election have sparked greater attention.
This article was first published in Binance Square.