Donald Trump has struck an increasingly imperialistic tone since his White House return, stating on multiple occasions his desire to annex the Greenland, the Panama Canal, Canada and the Gaza Strip

The island briefly fell under the protection of the United States, which was interested in its critical weather stations, after Germany occupied Denmark during World War II. President Harry Truman offered $100 million − about $1.3 billion today − in gold to Denmark for Greenland after the war but they declined the offer.

Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede has framed today's vote as a "fateful choice." Polls show most support independence from Denmark, but the speed and timing of such a move are matters of debate.