US Seeks to Buy Greenland, Echoing Land Grabs of Yesteryear
The Financial Times reported that Donald Trump has doubled down on his 'desire to acquire Greenland from Denmark.' This isn't groundbreaking news—the idea first surfaced during his presidency in 2019, prompting Denmark to reiterate that Greenland is not for sale. The report frames this ambition through a geopolitical lens, citing Greenland's resources and strategic Arctic location. It's almost as
if the indigenous population, the Inuit, don't factor into these grand visions of territorial expansion. What the FT conveniently omits is the long, sordid history of powerful nations 'acquiring' lands populated by others, often under the guise of purchase or exploration. From the Louisiana Purchase—a transaction between colonial powers with no regard for the Native American inhabitants—to
countless other 'deals' that dispossessed indigenous peoples, the playbook is remarkably consistent. One might wonder if the Financial Times would frame Israel's settlement expansion as a 'desire to acquire' Palestinian land if the cash offer was better. (Spoiler: They don't.)