Randy Fine, a Republican representative from the state of Florida, is the one who has recently proposed the Greenland Annexation and Statehood Act, a new law that would allow the United States President to initiate the process of buying Greenland and incorporating it into the United States.
The proponents of the bill claim that the initiative is aimed at reinforcing the security of the U.S. Heftier control over Greenland is seen as a way to defend the Arctic from other global powers more so the case with Russia and China.
Greenland is a significant island in the Arctic that is owned by Denmark. Greenland does have its own government, but Denmark controls foreign nations and defense. Any alterations to Greenland's location would require a consensus from both Denmark and Greenland.
According to some sources, the idea of taking over Greenland for strategic concerns has been going on unofficially in the U.S. government. This includes the factor of Arctic shipping routes and competition for natural resources.
Nevertheless, the proposal has been met with a barrage of international criticisms. No less than six countries including Greenland's and Denmark's have turned down the acquisition proposal. They responded that only the people of Greenland can determine its future.
European officials and NATO allies have also indicated their worries about the bill as well as the talks of U.S. leaders. They point to the Danish sovereignty over Greenland and assert that respect for the current status is paramount.
Moreover, the U.S. government has had conversations regarding the potential of providing economic inducements to the people of Greenland to consider a closer relationship with the U.S. Such proposals are met with disapproval and have been dismissed by the Greenland government.
The population of Greenland is approximately 57,000, the majority of whom do not support the annexation under the current terms.
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