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A Republican lawmaker has introduced a bill in the US House of Representatives to make Greenland the 51st state in the country.
Florida Congressman Rep. Randy Fine has tabled the legislation to allow US President Donald Trump to take the steps needed to acquire
Greenland, a Denmark territory, and eventually make it part of the United States.
Titled "Greenland Annexation and Statehood Act", it states, "The President is authorised to take such steps as may be necessary, including by seeking to enter into negotiations with the Kingdom of Denmark, to annex or otherwise acquire Greenland as a territory of the United States."
Fine argues that Greenland is extremely important for US security because it sits in the Arctic and can control key shipping routes used for trade, military movement, and energy transport.
"America cannot leave that future in the hands of regimes that despise our values and seek to undermine our security," he added.
The bill also mentions that if Greenland is successfully acquired, the President must then submit a report to Congress, which will then list changes needed in US federal laws to allow Greenland to become a US state.
Fine further warns that the US should not allow countries that oppose American values or security interests to gain influence over Greenland.
Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are saying that the Arctic region is becoming very important in global power struggle. They believe countries like China and Russia are trying to expand their influence in the Arctic by increasing military presence, building ships and research operations, and investing in resources.
"My bill will protect our homeland, secure our economic future, and ensure that America—not China or Russia—sets the rules in the Arctic. That is what American leadership and strength look like," Fine added.
Trump has repeatedly expressed interest over the years in acquiring Greenland. Last week at a White House meeting, he suggested the use of force to seize the territory, saying, "We are going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not."
According to Reuters, Trump officials are also planning to offer between $10,000 and $100,000 to each Greenland resident in order to woo them into supporting the US actions.
Florida Congressman Rep. Randy Fine has tabled the legislation to allow US President Donald Trump to take the steps needed to acquire
Titled "Greenland Annexation and Statehood Act", it states, "The President is authorised to take such steps as may be necessary, including by seeking to enter into negotiations with the Kingdom of Denmark, to annex or otherwise acquire Greenland as a territory of the United States."
Fine argues that Greenland is extremely important for US security because it sits in the Arctic and can control key shipping routes used for trade, military movement, and energy transport.
"America cannot leave that future in the hands of regimes that despise our values and seek to undermine our security," he added.
The bill also mentions that if Greenland is successfully acquired, the President must then submit a report to Congress, which will then list changes needed in US federal laws to allow Greenland to become a US state.
Fine further warns that the US should not allow countries that oppose American values or security interests to gain influence over Greenland.
Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are saying that the Arctic region is becoming very important in global power struggle. They believe countries like China and Russia are trying to expand their influence in the Arctic by increasing military presence, building ships and research operations, and investing in resources.
"My bill will protect our homeland, secure our economic future, and ensure that America—not China or Russia—sets the rules in the Arctic. That is what American leadership and strength look like," Fine added.
Trump has repeatedly expressed interest over the years in acquiring Greenland. Last week at a White House meeting, he suggested the use of force to seize the territory, saying, "We are going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not."
According to Reuters, Trump officials are also planning to offer between $10,000 and $100,000 to each Greenland resident in order to woo them into supporting the US actions.
