Donald Trump Jr. has landed in Greenland not long after his father, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, said America is interested in buying Greenland — an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark.
Trump Jr's visit is fuelling speculation on social media that Trump Sr. was not joking. Greenland is rich in oil, natural gas and minerals. Trump Jr. said his visit was a "very long, personal, day-trip" as a tourist.
He was greeting warmly by locals and reporters at Nuuk International Airport.
Trump Sr. has made several public comments about Canada becoming a fifty-first U.S. state. Most pundits said he was not serious.
Trump Sr. has expressed interest in the U.S. purchasing Greenland on multiple occasions.
In 2019, he described the snowbound country as a "large real estate deal" and mentioned its strategic importance and natural resources.
He suggested Greenland's ownership by Denmark was akin to real estate, and his interest was partly due to Greenland's mineral wealth and its strategic position.
In December, Trump Sr. reiterated his desire for the U.S. to control Greenland.
"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 said on social media.
Greenland is the world's largest island, covering an area of about 2.16 million square kilometres, with the majority — around 80% — covered by the Greenland Ice Sheet, which is the second largest ice body in the world after Antarctica.
The economy is driven by fishing, with tourism and potential mining projects also playing roles. Greenland's strategic location in the Arctic has geopolitical importance, especially in discussions about climate change and international shipping routes.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded to Trump Jr's visit, saying Greenland is "not for sale."