US President Donald Trump wanted Greenland – whether it was easy or difficult – but has softened his tone recently as his European allies have taken a more defiant tone. Days after threatening eight European countries with tariffs in support of his Greenland bid, he said he would drop tariffs on goods from those countries.
“We have created a framework for a future agreement regarding Greenland and indeed the entire Arctic region,” President Trump said on social media.
“This solution, if implemented, will be great for the United States of America and all NATO nations. Based on that understanding, I will not be imposing the tariffs that were supposed to go into effect on February 1st.”
Now that the framework has been worked out, would the US Constitution allow Donald Trump to acquire Greenland?
What does the US Constitution say?
The United States Constitution does not specifically address how a country can legally take another territory, but it does outline what Congress and the President can do to acquire and dispose of territory.
Article 4, Section 3 of the US Constitution gives Congress the power to accept territory and make rules for territory and property owned by the United States (such as federal land) and says that nothing in the Constitution should be construed to affect existing land claims.
“Congress may admit new States into this Union; but no new State shall be created or established within the jurisdiction of any other State; nor shall any State be formed by the union of two or more States, or parts of States, without the consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned, and also of Congress.”
“Congress shall have power to dispose of and make all necessary rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to prejudge any claim of the United States or of any particular State.”
But it says nothing about the acquisition of foreign land.
Read also | Why Denmark controls Greenland
Article 2, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution mentions that the President “has power to make treaties by the advice and consent of the Senate.” According to a CNN report, the Trump administration would have to ratify a treaty with Denmark and Greenland to annex the island.
Historically, the US tried to buy the Virgin Islands for $7.5 million and the two countries made a deal. The obstacle was the US Senate, which did not approve the agreement. The second time, the Senate approved the treaty, but the Danish parliament did not vote for it. The US eventually bought the Virgin Islands from Denmark in 1917 for $25 million in gold.
If the US were to succeed in signing the treaty with Denmark and Greenland, it would need at least two-thirds, or 67, approval of the senators.
How about the use of force?
In his recent speech at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, Donald Trump ruled out the use of force but sought immediate talks with NATO allies to acquire the island.
He said: “People thought I would use force, but I don’t have to use force. I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force.”
Read also | Trump shares an AI-generated map showing Greenland, Canada on US territory
But it did not end without a warning to NATO countries. “So we want that chunk of ice to protect the world. You can say ‘Yes’ and we’ll be very grateful, and you can say ‘No’ and we’ll remember.”
Payments to Greenlanders?
There have been reports that US officials have discussed sending lump sum payments to Greenland as part of an effort to persuade them to secede from Denmark and possibly join the United States, Reuters reported earlier.
While the exact dollar amount and logistics of any payment are unclear, US officials, including White House advisers, have discussed figures ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 per person for up to 57,000 people.
Are Denmark and Greenland OK with US experiments?
Not really. Denmark and Greenland have categorically rejected any interest in Donald Trump’s attempts to take over the island, which they say is for national security and to counter threats from Russia and China in the Arctic region.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned the US ahead of Donald Trump’s speech that any attempt to start a trade war with Europe would be met with a decisive response.
“We cannot negotiate on sovereignty, identity, borders or democracy; this is a question of world order, the worst may yet await us, and if someone starts a trade war with Europe, of course we will react. This is a dark chapter we are in,” Frederiksen said.
Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. It oversees its internal affairs, while Denmark retains responsibility for defence, foreign policy and international representation
