President-elect Donald Trump‘s Republican supporters in the U.S. House of Representatives are working to garner backing for a proposed bill that would authorize discussions regarding the potential purchase of Greenland. A draft of the bill, which is being circulated for co-sponsorship, was shared on Monday.
Titled the “Make Greenland Great Again Act,” the legislation is spearheaded by Republican U.S. Representatives Andy Ogles and Diana Harshbarger. As of Monday morning, the draft had already attracted 10 co-sponsors, as reported by Fox News Digital.
SIGNIFICANCE
Trump has expressed a desire to incorporate Greenland into the United States and has not dismissed the possibility of utilizing military or economic leverage to persuade Denmark to relinquish control. Following the November 5 elections, Republicans secured a slim majority in both the House and Senate.
NOTABLE EXCERPTS
Should the bill be enacted, it would empower the president to initiate negotiations with Denmark starting January 20, coinciding with Trump’s inauguration.
“Congress hereby authorizes the President, beginning at 12:01 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on January 20, 2025, to seek to enter into negotiations with the Kingdom of Denmark to secure the acquisition of Greenland by the United States,” states the draft of the bill.
Within five calendar days of finalizing an agreement with the Kingdom of Denmark regarding the United States’ acquisition of Greenland, the President is required to submit the agreement, along with all relevant materials and annexes, to the appropriate congressional committees.
CONTEXT
Greenland has been under Danish control for centuries, initially as a colony and currently as a semi-autonomous territory within the Danish realm. It operates under the Danish constitution, indicating that any alteration to its legal status would necessitate a constitutional amendment.
Prime Minister Mute Egede has intensified efforts toward independence, consistently asserting that the island is not for sale and emphasizing that the decision regarding its future lies with its inhabitants.
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