Greenland- what does Trump want with it?

Trump is extensively talking about Greenland. More importantly, the purchase of the island. The largest in the world. But it’s one of the world’s most desolate places. What does Trump see in Greenland?

For Trump, Real Estate is his game. Purchasing Greenland is the real estate deal of a lifetime. A deal that would purchase a land mass 25% of the US. Something only paralleled to the purchase of Alaska. In 1867, under President Andrew Jackson. Or the Louisiana purchase in 1803. 

Trump’s move makes military and strategic sense. It challenges China- Greenland is full of precious metals. China currently dominates the world’s metal supply. Greenland is also strategic militarily. It prevents Russia- and their renewed military ambitions. 

It must be stated that Washington hasn’t put a price on Greenland. Trump is scheduled to meet the Danish prime minister and the province’s leader, next month. However, it is still early days. 

The three leaders will meet next month. They are due to discuss Copenhagen’s NATO contributions. Washington has long believed that Copenhagen could contribute more. Not necessarily money. But extra airbases in Greenland. Given Greenland’s strategic position between Russia and the US. 

However, Trump’s White House has downplayed Vladimir Putin. Instead focusing on China. Favouring a trade war with China. 

The US has spent years trying to lease parts of land. These talks over time have escalated. Instead of leasing, the talks have turned to buying Greenland.

Greenland has the planets’ largest deposits of rare-earth metals. Including: terbium, neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and uranium. Which entices US corporations. No longer will US corporations have to get their metals from China. Getting it from somewhere in central or southern Africa.

It is believed that 100m tonnes of ore lie below the surface. It is expected that this deposit threatens China. It will become the largest producer outside of China. 

When Trump went to the G7 summit in France. He made it clear on the tarmac as he boarded Air Force One. Greenland has a price. Much like everyone and everything has a price.

And Trump believed that Denmark would be a willing seller. Trump said regarding Denmark “We protect them, much like large parts of the rest of the world. So when the concept came up, I said certainly. Strategically, it’s interesting. It’s certainly a large real estate deal.”

The art of the deal states that to make the best deal. You need to exploit your adversary’s weakness. Trump claims that it costs Denmark $700 million. He pointed out that this is a drain on public finances. He believes he can use this as a bargaining chip. It could be used to persuade the Danish taxpayers.

The Financial Times values the natural resources at $1.1 trillion. The Danish prime minister had much to say about Trump and Greenland. “The island is not for sale. It is not Danish. Greenland belongs to Greenland. I strongly hope this isn’t meant seriously.”

Trump has said regarding the issue. “Whilst Greenland isn’t my firsts priority. The mere fact of potentially containing China. That’s what interests me.”

Will Trump actually buy Greenland?

Probably not. This is likely to scare China. Another saga in the trade war. Trump knows that the US is a dying empire. And China is the new empire. Whether Trump likes it or not. He’s trying to get China to back down. By giving China ideas. Even though it would make for a great military post. 

It also threatens China’s industrial complex. Trump is threatening China’s mineral dominance. China will feel threatened. And back channels will be used. Trump drops the deal, in exchange China does something for the US. What that is. Is unknown.

Will Trump’s real estate deal make history?

If he pulls it off. Yes. This will add 836,330 sq miles to the US. This will go down in history like the Louisiana Purchase. It would probably raise Trump’s approval rating. Which is the lowest of any president.