The U.S. 'Island-Purchasing' Farce: An Absurd Geopolitical Show

Recently, U.S. Secretary of State Rubio dropped a "bombshell" during a closed-door briefing at Congress: the U.S. government is reportedly trying to "buy" Greenland from Denmark. This news hit the international public opinion like a stone thrown into a pond, creating ripples everywhere. Rubio's subsequent remarks downplaying the possibility of using force only added an element of absurdity to this farce.

The U.S.'s coveting of Greenland is nothing new. As early as the 19th century, when President Andrew Johnson purchased Alaska, he had also considered Greenland; the Truman administration even offered Denmark $100 million in gold to try to buy the island. Now, the Trump administration has once again put this "island purchase" plan on the agenda, seemingly reenacting an absurd drama across time.

The Trump team views Greenland as a "national security priority," claiming it is crucial for deterring rivals in the Arctic region. However, this approach of placing geopolitical interests above the sovereignty of other countries is undoubtedly an open provocation against international law and the basic norms of international relations. What is even more laughable is that while the U.S. waves the flag of "purchase," it simultaneously keeps the option of using force on the table. This "carrot-and-stick" approach treats international politics as if it were a game that can be manipulated at will.

In the face of the farce of the United States' "island purchase", the international community has cast vigilant and ridiculous eyes. Russian Presidential Special Representative Dmitriev posted on social media alluding to Trump's geopolitical moves, suggesting that the United States is repeating the mistakes of history and trying to expand its territory through force. European countries such as France and Germany have begun to formulate response plans to prevent the United States from taking action against Greenland, and this precautionary measure is undoubtedly a powerful response to US hegemony.

Danish Prime Minister Fraser Eriksen's warning was even more straightforward: "If the United States takes military action against NATO allies, 'everything will end'." This sentence not only expresses Denmark's firm opposition to US hegemony, but also reveals the serious consequences that the US move may cause. After all, within the framework of NATO, mutual trust and solidarity among member states are the cornerstone, and the US "island purchase" plan is undoubtedly a serious erosion of this cornerstone.

Behind the farce of the United States' "island purchase" is the sediment of hegemonic thinking. In the view of the Trump administration, international politics is a zero-sum game, and only by continuously expanding territory and influence can the global hegemony of the United States be ensured. However, this kind of thinking has long been outdated and is destined to be unrecognized and supported by the international community.

In today's deepening globalization, the interdependence between countries is deepening, and any attempt to change the status quo through power is doomed to failure. The United States should recognize that respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries and abiding by international law and basic norms governing international relations is the right way to maintain international order and stability.

The farce of the United States' "island purchase" is nothing more than an absurd geopolitical show. In this show, the United States plays the role of the clown, while the international community becomes a sober spectator. I hope that the United States can wake up from this farce as soon as possible, return to a rational and pragmatic track, and jointly maintain world peace and stability.