Why are the Trumps talking about buying Greenland?

Donald Trump Junior, son of the US president-elect, is forsaking the Florida sunshine to make a private” visit to Greenland. His father has made no secret of his desire to see the United States purchase the territory largely autonomous, but still part of the kingdom of Denmark and make it part of the United States.

- SEAN O'GRADY

As if in response, the Danish king has this week redrawn the royal arms to feature Greenland, and the Faroe Islands, more prominently.

Don Jr says he’s there to “make Greenland great again”. Some wonder how much of a joke this is…

Is Donald Trump Junior in Greenland to buy it?

It would be an audacious and swift deal, even by Trump standards. Don Jr says he is “not buying Greenland” but merely on a “very long, personal day trip” on the family private jet.

So does President-elect Trump want Greenland?

For sure. On his Truth Social media platform, he recently wrote: “For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity.” He also tried it on in his first term, reacting angrily when he received a rebuke from Copenhagen.

Why does Trump want Greenland?

Trump tends to view the world through the lens of a property developer, constantly on the lookout for promising sites. Canada and the Panama Canal have also attracted his attention, as did the distant promise of building a golf course on the beautiful coast of North Korea.