House Republicans rally support for potential Greenland purchase bill
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If the bill is enacted, the legislation would permit the president to initiate negotiations with Denmark starting January 20, 2025, the day Trump assumes office.
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President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Republican governors at Mar-a-Lago, Thursday, January 9, 2025, in Palm Beach, Florida. (AP)
President-elect Donald Trump's Republican allies in the US House of Representatives are rallying support for a bill that would authorize negotiations to purchase Greenland, according to a draft of the legislation circulated on Monday for co-sponsorship.
Titled the "Make Greenland Great Again Act," the bill is spearheaded by Republican Representatives Andy Ogles and Diana Harshbarger, as confirmed by their offices. The draft, initially reported by Fox News Digital, had garnered the backing of 10 co-sponsors by Monday morning.
Trump has expressed his intention to integrate Greenland into the United States, suggesting he may use economic or military influence to convince Denmark to agree. The push follows the Republican Party’s narrow majority win in both the House and Senate during the November 5 elections.
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If the bill is enacted, the legislation would permit the president to initiate negotiations with Denmark starting January 20, 2025, the day Trump assumes office.
"Congress hereby authorizes the President, beginning at 12:01 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on January 20, 2025, to seek to enter into negotiations with the Kingdom of Denmark to secure the acquisition of Greenland by the United States."
It further requires the president to promptly inform Congress of any agreement: "Not later than 5 calendar days after reaching an agreement with the Kingdom of Denmark relating to the acquisition of Greenland by the United States, the President shall transmit to the appropriate congressional committees the agreement, including all related materials and annexes."
Greenland, under Danish control for centuries, transitioned from being a colony to a semi-sovereign territory within the Danish realm. As it is governed by the Danish constitution, any change to its status would necessitate a constitutional amendment.
It is worth noting that the US military maintains a permanent presence at the Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland, which is crucial for its ballistic missile early-warning system. The base’s strategic location is vital, as the shortest route from Europe to North America passes over the island. However, the US embassy in Copenhagen has lately clarified that there were no plans to increase the US military presence in Greenland.
Read more: Trump team allegedly bribed Greenlanders for support in purchase promo
