In recent months, President Donald Trump has reignited discussions about expanding U.S. territory, with Greenland and Canada as potential additions. He has suggested that Canada could become the 51st U.S. state and has expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, citing national security and resource considerations.
What do Canada and Denmark have in common?
While these proposals have been met with skepticism and resistance from the nations involved, an intriguing geographical detail has come to light: Canada and Denmark share a land border on the tiny, uninhabited Hans Island in the Arctic. The island sits in the centre of the Kennedy Channel of Nares Strait in the high Arctic region, split between the Canadian territory of Nunavut and the Danish autonomous territory of Greenland.
This shared border, though minuscule, has led some to humorously suggest that Canada could leverage it to seek closer ties with Europe, potentially even European Union membership.
Canada and Denmark share a 1.2 km long land border on Hans Island since we ended the Whisky War in 2022.
So technically we could join the European Union. pic.twitter.com/IpIMJOLUPt
— Craig Baird – Canadian History Ehx (@CraigBaird) February 2, 2025
Could Canada really join the EU?
The idea of Canada joining the EU is not entirely new. Analysts have previously highlighted Canada’s strong democracy, robust economy, and cultural similarities with Europe as compelling reasons for such a union. Given the current geopolitical climate and the U.S.‘s unpredictable stance under President Trump, some argue that Canada might find a more stable partnership with the EU.
Donald Trump is goading Canada by suggesting it is about to become America’s 51st state and referring to its prime minister as “Governor Justin Trudeau”. A better option might be on the other side of the north Atlantic https://t.co/Vi7ZrWIzie
Illustration: Andrea Ucini pic.twitter.com/XeqCOcONeZ
— The Economist (@TheEconomist) January 6, 2025
The notion, however, of Canada becoming a U.S. state has been firmly dismissed by Canadian officials. Outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated unequivocally, “It’s not going to happen,” emphasizing Canadians’ pride in their national identity.
In contrast, Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, has been navigating its own path toward greater independence. The island’s government party plans to hold a vote on independence after the upcoming election, a move that has gained urgency following President Trump’s interest in acquiring the territory.
As these geopolitical moves unfold, the shared border on Hans Island remains a curious footnote. While it’s unlikely to serve as a direct conduit for Canada into the EU, it does make for some interesting subplots as the returning incumbent of the Oval Office plays his own brand of international relationships. The world is certainly watching.
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Publish date : 2025-02-06 15:45:00
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