The right answers to Trump
Trump's indeed triumphant return to power is more than
a stone falling into a swamp. It's a landslide. In a world that is in many aspects a house of cards, but in many aspects a
four-billion-year-old rock-hard reality.
Let's take a closer look at the
main topics that emerge from this comeback. Some are highly exposed, almost
tabloid-like, and some are fundamental.
Greenland
The idea of "acquiring" Greenland was
floated by Trump towards the end of his first term, causing quite a stir. In
the following four years this 'crazy' plan got almost completely forgotten, but
Trump does not seem to have forgotten it. In fact, it had already become a
priority in his election campaign (among many other things). There is no doubt
that the acquisition of Greenland would be a great deal, and its strategic
importance should not be underestimated. The world – especially Europe – is
shocked. But this consternation is, to put it mildly, duplicitous. And that is
the point of this story, not Trump's pushy neo-imperialist policies.
Starting a closer examination, we may
ask: what is actually Greenland today? Greenland is the largest island in the
world (26% larger than the largest state in the US, Alaska, which was bought
from the Russians) and 50 times (!) larger than Denmark! Yet this vast area is
home to barely 56,000 indigenous people, hardly any of them Danish or Viking.
But then on what basis – so to speak – does Denmark 'claim' it? "We won't
give it away", "it's not for sale", says the Danish Prime
Minister.
Well, no one should expect
mathematical proof for the claim that Greenland is a colony, but historically,
politically and socially that is the case. However, since there is no
mathematical proof or court order to that effect, one could argue endlessly about
Greenland's status, but I think any debate is superfluous and disingenuous.
Greenland is one of the last great colonies, and it would be entirely
legitimate to end this colonial status. Of course, it is right to understand
and respect the will of the people of the territory concerned, but let us admit
that this will has always been and remains effectively manipulable. All right,
Greenland must be freed from colonial status, but does that mean that America
can immediately annex it?
No, it does not mean that. But –
let’s face it – now this would not be classic and reprehensible colonialism,
and this the point.
Released, decolonised, Greenland
could be an independent state, which as such can decide to whom it belongs.
Belonging to America is quite obvious. It is close, Trump could even build a
Kerch Bridge to it. But also in many other ways it is a well-integrated part of
North America. So Trump's plan is reasonable, and the world should accept it,
provided the process is peaceful and democratic.
But since the Greenland issue has
opened up the subject of colonialism, let's review the situation in the world
in this regard. If we look around a little, we see that the colonial past is
still with us in many places. There are a good number of French, Spanish,
Dutch, English, American (!) and who knows what other colonies around the
world. France is particularly famous in this respect, and is extremely proud of
its 'overseas' possessions ('départements'). There are many legal twists here,
but beware: all EU citizens are somewhat complicit in this colonialism.
Decolonisation in the 1960s and
1970s of the last century did most of the work, but we are a long way from
completing the ignominy. The fight must go on. At the same time, it would be
very appropriate to establish an international museum, research and documentation
centre to preserve the memories of the colonial past. It would be right and
proper for the former colonies to receive a substantial aid programme worth
hundreds of billions of dollars to compensate them for the socio-economic
backwardness caused by their colonial past. It would be very appropriate for
Europe, which seeks to set an example to the world in everything it does, and
in particular the ex-colonial community, to make the most enthusiastic
contribution to burying the shameful past.
In the meantime, let us not forget
that there are also colonies in Europe. The best known (and most 'forgotten')
case is Gibraltar. It is a Spanish (i.e. EU!) territory, but a British colony
acquired and guarded by military force. This situation deprives all EU citizens
of the freedom to enter its territory.
Finally, let’s say it: the Trump
plan to acquire Greenland has some neo-imperialist overtones, but it cannot be
accused of being colonial. Not so the US as a whole. It has too much 'overseas'
possessions, even if generally in a legally settled form.
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