[By Guancha Observer Net, Qi Qian] Since the Trump administration came to power, the United States has had its eyes on Greenland, as if it would not "annex" this island until it succeeded. On May 10, Reuters reported that U.S. officials were considering signing a Compact of Free Association (COFA) to bring Greenland under its sphere of influence. Before this, the U.S. had already used this approach with several Pacific island nations.

The report mentioned that politicians from all sides in the U.S. believed that this agreement was crucial for countering China's growing influence in the Asia-Pacific region. However, the report reminded that this move would face many practical obstacles, including sovereignty conflicts with Denmark and budget approval issues in Congress.

According to two U.S. officials and another person familiar with the matter, the Trump administration is considering proposing to Greenland leaders to push for a COFA between the island and the United States.

Public records show that after World War II, Pacific island nations gained independence one after another, but the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian near Guam) became "United Nations Trust Territories" under U.S. trusteeship. In the 1980s and 1990s, the U.S. allowed these three countries to gain independence on the condition that they signed COFAs.

According to this agreement, the U.S. provides economic assistance and public services to these three countries, in exchange for "military sovereignty," especially "exclusive" sea and air military usage rights. This means that these countries do not establish armies, and the U.S. is responsible for providing military protection. More importantly, only U.S. military aircraft and warships can freely enter the territorial seas and airspace of these countries; any other country's military vessels or aircraft need U.S. approval to enter their territories.

The U.S. COFAs with these three countries are set to expire in 2023 and 2024, and were renewed again in March 2024.

Map of Greenland

It was reported that Trump had proposed obtaining Greenland during his first term in office. Since taking office earlier this year, he has further pressured, not ruling out the possibility of forcibly seizing the island. To achieve this goal, some of Trump's advisors have informally proposed the idea of incorporating Greenland into the U.S. sphere of influence through signing a COFA.

Two sources said that some officials from the White House National Security Council and the National Energy Dominance Committee established by Trump participated in the negotiations. One of them added that the White House National Economic Council was also involved.

So far, the White House, Denmark, and Greenland authorities have not responded to requests for comment. But in February, a U.S. media outlet reported that the Greenland representative in the U.S. began consulting with ambassadors of some Pacific island nations to learn about their past experiences with signing COFAs with the U.S.

Reuters reported that politicians from all sides in the U.S. believe that the agreements signed with Palau, the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia are crucial for countering China's growing influence in the Asia-Pacific region.

However, the report reminded that this agreement cannot achieve Trump's ambition to incorporate this island with a population of 57,000 into the U.S. territory, and will face many practical obstacles. First is the issue of sovereignty; previous signatories of the agreement were all independent states, which means that Greenland needs to sever ties with Denmark before proceeding with this plan.

It was introduced that Greenland is the largest island in the world, with a population of about 60,000, once a Danish colony, achieving autonomy in 1979 with its own parliament. However, this island remains Danish territory, with Copenhagen responsible for its foreign and defense policies. The Thule Air Base located in Greenland was built during World War II and has been retained to this day, being the northernmost U.S. military base.

The report mentioned that the Danish side has repeatedly rejected proposals to "sell" Greenland. Although opinion polls show that Greenlanders are inclined toward independence, they also indicate that most people do not want to become part of the U.S.

The COFA faces some hindrances within the U.S. domestically. In Congress, bipartisan lawmakers often oppose providing budgets for signatory countries of the agreement, which frustrates countries dependent on these funds. Moreover, the so-called COFA does not guarantee that signatory countries will fully align with the U.S.

A senior European official said that Danish leaders have not yet contacted the White House regarding this plan and have not had any substantive discussions with the White House about the future status of Greenland. Denmark has publicly rejected the U.S. "purchase" of Greenland and insisted that Greenlanders must decide their own future.

An American government official told Reuters that the U.S. could help Greenland diversify its economy through projects such as rare earth development, making it more economically independent of Denmark. The official stated that signing the COFA might be a clever way to address some of our security concerns in Greenland, but did not comment on the possibility of reaching such an agreement.

New Prime Minister of the Autonomous Government of Greenland, Niels Nielsen - Local Media

In recent months, the Trump administration has made no secret of its ambition to control Greenland. Previously, U.S. media analyzed that as global powers seek to expand their influence and presence in the Arctic region, resource-rich Greenland has been favored due to its strategic value in security and trade. There is a large U.S. airbase in Greenland, which is significant for the U.S. military.

However, Trump's "imperialist ambitions" have been condemned by Greenland, Denmark, and the international community.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen previously clearly stated that the Trump administration had exerted "unacceptable pressure" on both Greenland and Denmark, emphasizing that Denmark would resist such pressure.

In March, Trump threatened again, stating that the U.S. would annex Greenland and threatening to use force to occupy the island. In response, New Prime Minister of the Autonomous Government of Greenland, Niels Nielsen, responded on social media, stating clearly: "Let me make this clear: the U.S. will not get here." Greenland does not belong to the U.S. or anyone else, and its future will be decided by its residents.

This article is an exclusive contribution by Guancha Observer Net and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7502746273439678976/

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