By: Isaac Kwabena Boadu Date: 22nd January, 2026
US President Donald Trump has announced that he is seeking immediate negotiations to acquire Greenland, citing national security reasons. President Trump stated that he won’t use force to take control of the territory, but his demands have been rejected by Greenland’s leaders and Denmark, of which Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory. This has sparked a diplomatic row, with Trump initially threatening trade tariffs against European allies opposing his plans.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, President Trump revealed that he has formed the framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland, following talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The deal is expected to involve access to mineral rights and the development of a missile defense system, dubbed the “Golden Dome”. Trump emphasized that only the US can protect and develop Greenland, citing the island’s strategic location in the Arctic.
Greenland, the world’s largest island, is home to about 56,000 people, mostly indigenous Inuit people. Its location makes it an important site for early warning systems and monitoring vessels in the region. The US has operated a military base in Greenland since World War Two, and Trump has argued that the US should have kept the island after the war.
The diplomatic standoff has led to a wider discussion about the future of Greenland and the role of the US in the Arctic region. While Trump has backed down from threatening tariffs, the situation remains tense, with European allies united in their opposition to Trump’s plans.
AFRICAN VOICES INTERNATIONAL, FREEDOM IN AFRICA
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