American Expansionism?
Summary
The American President, Donald Trump, has threatened to place tariffs on nations that do not go along with his plans to annex Greenland, the act of seizing someone's territory by force. He also said he would acquire Denmark 'easy way' or 'the hard way'. Greenland is an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark. And while there are existing agreements with Denmark that allow the US to deploy as many troops as it wants to Greenland, these agreements were made for the region's security. Today, the US has more than 100 military personnel stationed at Greenland's Pituffik base.
Application
Rationale Trump's insistence on 'owning' Greenland is a calculated move. Greenland is strategically located between North America and the Arctic, making it an ideal place for early warning systems in the event of missile attacks. The region is also rich in natural resources: rare earth metals, oil, and gas. Impact Such a move is condemned by the international community; it violates the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark. Worse, it severs the strong relations between America and Denmark, symbolised by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), which offers assistance to allies. Trump's impetuosity not only harms the US's political capital but also undermines the trust and loyalty allies have cultivated among themselves.