A historic document from more than 100 years ago could resurface as US President Donald Trump renews his interest in Greenland despite strong objections from the Danish government and its European allies.
The document in question is the Lansing Declaration.
On August 4, 1916, U.S. Secretary of State Robert Lansing, under the presidency of Woodrow Wilson, issued the declaration notifying Denmark that the U.S. would not oppose the Danish government establishing control over all of Denmark.
The document stated that: “The undersigned Secretary of State of the United States of America, duly authorized by his Government, has the honor to declare that the Government of the United States of America will not oppose the extension of the political and economic interests of the Danish Government to the whole of Greenland.”
This declaration was part of a broader agreement that formalized the sale of the Danish West Indies to the United States. Today, this territory is known as the American Virgin Islands.
The original document can be accessed at the Danish National Archives.
In an interview with CNNDanish parliamentarian and member of the European Parliament, Anders Vistisen, sharply criticized the US president for his , describing them as “frankly stupid”, although he noted that the United States had already recognized Danish sovereignty over the territory.
He said that if the Trump administration had any doubts, it could look to its own records to see that the United States declared that “the territory of Greenland belongs to the Kingdom of Denmark.”
Why is Greenland important to Trump?
Greenland, located in the Arctic, is home to more than 56,000 people. The former Danish colony is an autonomous territory of Denmark.
Security
Strategically located between the US, Europe and Russia, Greenland has long been seen as critical to American security.
Natural resources
Greenland is rich in natural resources, including oil, gas and rare earth metals.
maritime routes
As the climate crisis melts Arctic ice, shipping routes in the north could become more accessible year-round, making the region even more important.
