🟠 News Club - Can Trump take Greenland?

Can Trump take Greenland?

Like so many headlines generated by the Trump administration, I thought ‘ok, that’s something to clock’ and read up on it a bit - but in the main, I let it wash over, making room for the next wave of Trump headlines. 

But the idea hasn’t gone away - in fact, things are ramping up. Yesterday, Trump told NBC: “We’ll get Greenland” and "There's a good possibility it could be done without military force", however, "I don't take anything off the table."

So with this one continuing to bubble away, this week’s Club Picks will get you across it.

1. Greenland - a Danish autonomous territory - is the world's biggest island that is not a continent (if they were counting continents, that would be Oz…). Not only is it strategically important to America’s security because it’s the shortest route between Europe and North America, but it’s also rich in oil, natural gas and rare minerals. One mining company boss with interests there said Greenland "can be the supplier of all the minerals the Western world will need for decades. And that is a very unique position."

2. The climate crisis that has led to a loss of ice in the region also means it’s opening up shipping routes that China and Russia are eyeing. “You don’t even need binoculars. You look outside, you have China ships all over the place, you have Russia ships all over the place. We’re not letting that happen,” Trump has said. 

3. So, is America really going to acquire or annex Greenland? Danish and local leaders say it’s not for sale, and there’s doubt over whether Trump would go as far as using the military to take the country by force. Some experts say a military/economic partnership agreement favouring the US is a likely outcome. But here are 5 ways some think it will play out. 

4. Sometimes at this point, we lighten things up with a recipe from the nation we’re talking about. In Greenland’s case, its national dish is Suaasat - a soup featuring seal meat. Bon app… 

Finally, thank you if you supported the work we’re doing with Squiz Kids and our Newshounds media literacy program. We almost got to our target of 10,000 signatures on our petition to showcase to our federal politicians that there is support for the government to fund a program that will help the next generation become critical consumers of news and information online. 

I say almost - we got to 8,500 signatures. So for a final push… If you haven’t already, we’d be so appreciative if you would sign the petition. 

Of the nearly 800 Squizers who did our poll last week, 85% said tackling mis- and disinformation was the top/a top 3 issue, so we know you are probably as concerned about this one as we are. 

Merci buckets.