U.S. discussing options to acquire Greenland

The White House says President Donald Trump is discussing
Òa range of optionsÓ for acquiring Greenland, including utilising
the U.S. military to take control of the island

Trump often describes
Greenland as key for
U.S. national security
nd says control of
island is necessary
to counter Russian
and Chinese influence
in Arctic

CANADA
CHINA
DENMARK
RUSSIA
U.S.
Alaska
(U.S.)
Arctic
Ocean
Northern
Sea Route
Northwest
Passage
Transpolar
Sea Route

Greenland: IslandÕs untapped mineral riches have
drawn interest from Russia and China, as melting
ice raises possibility of new trade routes

U.S. PURCHASE

Greenland is self-
governing part of
Denmark and both
governments say
island is not for sale

Recent poll shows
85% of Greenlanders
oppose territory
becoming part of U.S.

TRADE AGREEMENT

Trump could get
Greenland to sign
Compact of Free
Association (COFA)
deal Ð allowing U.S.
to put troops on ground
in return for providing
services, protection
and free trade 

SECURITY DEAL

European leaders
strongly oppose idea
of U.S. annexing
Greenland, but Trump
could win them over
by offering security
guarantees in peace
talks to end Russia-
Ukraine War

If Europe does not
agree, Trump could
retaliate by pulling
out of negotiations
or promoting peace
deal favourable
to Russia

MILITARY TAKEOVER

Pentagon already
has military base and
around 200 troops on
Greenland Ð island has
few defences and no
army of its own. Experts
say U.S. could take
capital, Nuuk, within
half an hour

Any U.S. attempt
to seize island would
bring it into conflict
with another NATO
member Ð Denmark Ð
likely putting alliance
in peril

Sources: BBC, Politico, Reuters, Stratfor
Picture: Getty Images
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