Trump says Greenland is more than just a beautiful real estate deal but has more to do with long-term US strategic, geopolitical and geo-economic objectives particularly, gaining advantages over China and Russia.

Senior Researcher at South Africa’s Mapungubwe Institute, Na'eem Jeenah says Trump is so desperate to own Greenland, that he has refused to assure even US allies that he won't use military force to do so.

“His initial suggestion was that the US would buy Greenland, to which, Denmark refused, of course. And then he said he would take it over, however he can”, Jeenah said.

Last week, Denmark's parliament took an important step towards ratifying a defence cooperation deal with the US, which expands the US military's rights in the Nordic country, despite the ongoing diplomatic dispute over Greenland.

Jeenah says if Trump were to acquire the nation, it would set a bad precedent. 

“A state in today’s world, is not allowed to take over territory just because it wants to”, Jeenah said.

---SABC/ChannelAfrica---