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The saga over Greenland just got louder and a lot stranger.
US President Donald Trump is once again pushing hard for the United States to take control of Greenland, this time accusing Denmark of sitting on its hands for decades while Russia’s presence in the Arctic grows.
In a fiery post on Sunday, Trump claimed NATO has been warning Denmark for the past 20 years to deal with what he called the “Russian threat” in Greenland and said Denmark has failed to act. “Now is the time, and it will happen,” he wrote, making it clear he’s not backing down.
Trump has been repeating for years that he wants Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, to become US property, a demand that both Denmark and Greenland have flatly rejected. Leaders on both sides say the island is not for sale and that its people have no interest in becoming Americans.
But Trump isn’t just talking anymore. Over the weekend, he also threatened a new wave of tariffs against several European allies unless the US is allowed to take over Greenland. The list includes Denmark, Germany, France, the UK, and several Nordic countries, with the tariffs potentially kicking in as early as February.
Trump argues Greenland is critical to US security because of increased Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic. European officials, however, point out that Greenland is already protected under NATO’s collective defense agreement and warn that economic pressure won’t change that.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen didn’t mince words, saying Europe “will not succumb to blackmail,” as EU leaders quietly debate how to respond to Washington’s latest threats.
Meanwhile, ordinary Danes have revived a very different response, and it’s gaining traction fast.
A satirical petition proposing that Denmark buy California instead has roared back to life, racking up more than 200,000 signatures and climbing. The petition, which first appeared months ago, is now being widely shared again as Trump’s Greenland rhetoric heats up.
The idea is simple and very tongue-in-cheek: if Trump wants Greenland so badly, Denmark might as well buy California. The pitch promises Californians universal healthcare, rule of law, fact-based politics, and, yes, a lifetime supply of Danish pastries. There’s also talk of bringing “hygge to Hollywood,” bike lanes to Beverly Hills, and open-faced sandwiches to every corner.
Supporters joke that Trump has never been California’s biggest fan and might be willing to let it go for the right price. Organizers say they’re aiming for half a million signatures and about $1 trillion in crowdfunding, give or take.
Behind the humor, though, the message is pointed. While the California campaign is clearly satire, Trump’s push for Greenland is very real.
Greenland’s prime minister has repeated that the island’s future belongs to Greenlanders alone, not Washington and not Copenhagen. Still, as Trump ramps up pressure with tariffs and security arguments, what once sounded like an offhand idea is turning into a serious diplomatic headache.
For now, Greenland stays put. California, meanwhile, has an open, if entirely joking, offer on the table.
*Source: Reuters, X @NoLieWithBTC, The Guardian
