As Greenland is set to vote, Denmark wants status quo, U.S. seeks to upend it

Sub: IR

Sec: Places in news

Context:

Greenland is set to hold a general election on March 11. This election comes in the backdrop of heightened discussions about Greenland’s political future and its relationship with Denmark and the United States.

U.S. Interest in Greenland:

In recent weeks, U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated his interest in acquiring Greenland.
Greenland holds significant strategic value due to its location, resources, and military relevance.
It lies along the shortest route from Europe to North America and is vital for the U.S. ballistic missile warning system.
Additionally, there are opportunities for military expansion, including radar placements to monitor waters between Greenland, Iceland, and Britain, which are vital for observing Russian naval activities.

Growing Support for Independence:

A movement in Greenland for independence from Denmark, which began in the 1970s, has gained momentum in recent months.
Relations between Greenland and Denmark have been strained after revelations of historical mistreatment of Greenlanders under colonial rule.
Despite the push for independence, Greenlanders are wary of becoming dependent on another foreign power, with many expressing a preference for a “free association” with the U.S. rather than full U.S. integration.

Historical Context:

Greenland was a former colony of Denmark and formally became a territory of Denmark in 1953.
In 2009, Greenland was granted broad self-governing autonomy but still remains under Danish sovereignty.
Under the 2009 law, Greenland has the right to full independence through a referendum, and approval from both Greenland’s Parliament (Inatsisartut) and Denmark’s Parliament.
Denmark currently provides substantial financial support to Greenland, which includes the annual subsidies. In return, Denmark maintains control over foreign policy and defence matters.

Greenland’s Economy:

Greenland’s economy is currently dependent on fishing, which accounts for over 95% of its exports, as well as annual subsidies from Denmark. These subsidies make up around half of Greenland’s public budget.
Greenland’s mining sector is underdeveloped, though it has potential for resources such as rare earth minerals, oil, and natural gas.