Denmark’s foreign minister said yesterday Greenland could pursue independence from Danish control if desired, but the world's biggest island is unlikely to join the US. The minister's comments came as President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in acquiring the mineral-rich territory, declining to rule out potential military or economic action.
Greenland has been a part of Denmark for 600 years, though the Arctic island has been gradually moving toward greater autonomy, achieving self-rule status in 2009. Greenland's strategic significance is partly due to its mineral, oil, and gas resources. The island's location between Russia, Europe, and the US is also advantageous for defense and trade purposes, including being home to the northernmost US military base. See an overview of Greenland here.
In related news, Denmark’s king updated the country’s royal coat of arms as a symbolic response to Trump's attempts to purchase Greenland. The update includes removing a panel of crowns and enlarging a polar bear and ram to represent the importance of Greenland and the Faroe Islands, respectively.
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