U.S. President Donald Trump may soon have the opportunity to negotiate the acquisition of Greenland, a move that could lead to the territory being renamed “Red, White, and Blueland.” This proposal is part of a new bill introduced by Republican Representative Buddy Carter, which aims to empower Trump to engage in discussions with Denmark regarding the potential purchase of Greenland.
In a statement, Carter emphasized the significance of this initiative, describing the acquisition as a national security priority for the United States. “America is back and will soon be bigger than ever with the addition of Red, White, and Blueland,” he declared. Should the bill pass through both the House and Senate, it would grant the Office of the Secretary of the Interior a six-month timeframe to update federal documents to reflect the new name.
Greenland, which is an autonomous territory of Denmark, is strategically important to the U.S. due to its proximity to the Arctic and the presence of a significant U.S. military base on the island. The territory has been a point of interest for Trump since he first expressed a desire to purchase it in 2019, citing its potential benefits for U.S. national security.
Denmark, a long-standing ally of the United States and a founding member of NATO, has been receptive to discussions about U.S. interests in the Arctic. However, Danish officials have firmly stated that Greenland is not for sale. In a recent address, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen underscored the importance of respecting the wishes of the Greenlandic people regarding their future.
In response to Trump’s renewed interest in acquiring Greenland, a satirical petition has emerged in Denmark, calling for the purchase of California from the United States. This “Denmarkification” campaign has gained traction, reportedly collecting nearly 200,000 signatures. The petition humorously suggests that California should be renamed to reflect its new Danish ownership, with incentives including sunshine and Disneyland, which would be rebranded as “Hans Christian Andersenland.”
The political discourse surrounding the potential acquisition has not been without controversy. Danish politician Anders Vistisen publicly rebuked Trump’s proposal, declaring Greenland an integral part of Denmark and asserting that it is “not for sale.” His remarks, which included strong language, sparked a discussion about diplomatic decorum in international relations.
As the bill progresses through Congress, the implications of such a move are significant, not only for U.S.-Denmark relations but also for the geopolitical landscape of the Arctic region. The outcome of this proposal remains to be seen, but it has already ignited a lively debate both in the U.S. and abroad.