Trump has asked aides if it's possible to buy Greenland, sources say

Posted: 7:49 PM, Aug 15, 2019
Updated: 2019-08-15 20:49:08-04





Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, is home to Thule Air Base, the US military's northernmost base, located about 750 miles above the Arctic Circle and built in 1951. The radar and listenin–g post features a Ballistic Missile Early Warning System that can warn of incoming intercontinental ballistic missiles and reaches thousands of miles into Russian territory.



"What do you guys think about that?" Trump asked the room, the person told the paper. "Do you think it would work?"

The person told the paper that Trump's comments seemed like more of a joke about his power than a genuine question. The person thought that the President was interested in Greenland due to its natural resources.

Trump's attempt would not be the first American effort to buy Greenland. Though President Harry Truman dodged questions about his pursuit of control in the region, the United States allegedly tried to buy Greenland in 1946 , and in 1867, Secretary of State William Seward showed interest in purchasing the island.