Written by Kanishka Singh
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Republican allies of President-elect Donald Trump in the U.S. House of Representatives are trying to garner support for a bill that would allow talks to buy Greenland, according to a copy of the bill distributed to co-sponsors on Monday.
The offices of Republican U.S. Reps. Andy Ogles, who is leading the bill, and Diana Harshbarger, said the bill is called the “Make Greenland Great Again Act.” Fox News Digital had published a copy of the draft earlier, with 10 sponsors participating as of Monday morning.
Why is it important
Trump says he wants to make Greenland part of the United States and does not rule out using military or economic force to persuade Denmark to hand it over. Republicans won a narrow majority in the House of Representatives and the Senate in the US elections held on November 5.
Key quotes
The bill, if passed, would allow the president to enter into negotiations with Denmark on January 20, when Trump takes office.
“Congress authorizes the President, beginning at 12:01 p.m. Eastern Time on January 20, 2025, to seek to enter into negotiations with the United States. Kingdom (Trade:) Danish to secure US acquisition of Greenland.”
He adds: “No later than 5 calendar days after reaching an agreement with the Kingdom of Denmark regarding the United States’ acquisition of Greenland, the President must refer the agreement to the appropriate congressional committees, including all relevant articles and appendices.”
Context
Denmark has been under the control of Greenland for centuries, formerly a colony and now a semi-sovereign territory of the Danish Kingdom. It is subject to the Danish Constitution, which means that any change in its legal status would require a constitutional amendment.
Prime Minister Mut Egedi, who has intensified his push for independence, has repeatedly said that the island is not for sale and that it is up to its people to decide its future.
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