www.lesswrong.com/posts/sjhCqQWvvGLGEaagK/why-is-anthropic-is-okay-with-being-us...
1 correction found
Given that the current US government wants the EU to give up Greenland
Greenland is not part of the EU and is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, so the EU cannot “give up Greenland.” U.S. acquisition talk has been framed around Denmark/Greenland, not the EU as the sovereign holder.
Full reasoning
Why this is incorrect
The post’s wording implies that Greenland is something the European Union could “give up,” but Greenland is not part of the EU and EU institutions do not hold sovereignty over it.
What Greenland’s status actually is
- The European Commission describes Greenland as “an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark” and explicitly notes that Greenlanders are EU citizens “despite Greenland not being part of the EU itself.”
How U.S. acquisition talk is framed in mainstream sources
- A Council on Foreign Relations explainer (updated Jan 22, 2026) describes the Trump administration’s push as aimed at acquiring/assuming control over Greenland as “a semiautonomous territory of Denmark,” and discusses consent/negotiation involving Denmark and Greenland’s self-ruling institutions—not the EU as the owner of Greenland.
Bottom line
Because Greenland is not an EU member territory (it’s a Danish territory associated with the EU as an OCT), it’s inaccurate to say the U.S. government “wants the EU to give up Greenland.” Any “give up” decision would be in the hands of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark, not the EU.
2 sources
- Greenland - International Partnerships - European Commission
“Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark ... Greenlanders are citizens of the European Union, despite Greenland not being part of the EU itself.”
- The Trump Administration’s Push for Greenland: What to Know (Council on Foreign Relations)
Describes U.S. efforts regarding acquisition/control of Greenland as involving “the Danish territory” and notes Greenland is “not a member of the European Union (EU) ... despite being considered an overseas country and territory associated with the EU.”