What in the World
What in the World
Why does Trump want Greenland to be part of the United States?
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March 28, 2025
10 minutes
Available for over a year
US Vice-President JD Vance and his wife Usha are scheduled to land in Greenland on Friday afternoon. Their visit comes as President Donald Trump continues his threats to take over the world’s largest island, which is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark. But the planned visit has been scaled back following protests. Rather than visiting a dog sled race and cultural sites, the Vances will instead tour an American space facility.
BBC journalist Laura Gozzi explains the basics of what the United States would gain if Greenland became part of the U.S. And we also hear reaction from two 26-year-old Greenlanders, as we try to understand how local people feel about the latest developments.
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Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: Mora Morrison and Elena Angelides
Editor: Verity Wilde