Respect Principle Of Equal Sovereignty

Following the Second World War, the United States of America has been ahead in the field of economy, technology, innovation, modern warfare and weapons production. It also champions individual freedom, rule of law and democracy in the world. Besides, it has been standing on the front line to protect the sovereignty of small countries. It considers that from the sovereignty point of view, all countries in the world are equal. 

It has stood on the side of Ukraine when it was invaded by Russia. The firm stance of America can be compared with a king of penguins. As chicks of penguins were struggling to get their ways to their mothers, a huge Seagull came from nowhere to attack them. Amid the chaos, an adult king penguin called Petro stood against Seagull and saved all the chickens in the Arctic. 

Going against the past legacy, President-elect Donald Trump said, ‘He would not rule out the use of military force to seize control of the Panama Canal and Greenland from Palm Beach Florida. To materialise the wish of his father, Donald Trump Jr. visited Greenland and said, “We are going to treat you well”.

Greenland is a semi-colony of Denmark situated in the arctic region. It is a huge area with abundance of natural resources and scenic beauty but the population of the country is only around 56,700 people. Responding to Trump’s view on taking Greenland, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Denmark Mette Frederiksen said that it was being liberated and the people of Greenland have right to decide their own future. In an angry response to Trump’s proposal, Prime Minister of Greenland Mute Egede said, "Greenland is not for sale.”

Being a powerful nation, America can demand good security provisions from its neighbouring countries. But, invasion and annexation can hardly be accepted in the 21st century. Though said jokingly, annexation of Canada, punishing Denmark economically and renaming Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America may not be in line with the basic tenets of American democracy. 

To Trump claim to annex Canada, outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the BBC that there wasn't "a snowball's chance in hell" of the two countries merging.

If America lets its citizens practice the freedom of choice, it should also do the same for the people of other nations. If it is giving billions of dollars and sophisticated weapons to Ukraine, it must also respect the sovereignty of Greenland though it a few number of population living in the far-flung areas. 

If the American leaders use force to get fertile land and highly populated cities, this goes against the principle of equal sovereignty of other nations. This runs counter to their own values of democracy and peace. If it moves whimsically, the people all over the world will start to question the US's commitment to democracy, sovereignty and territorial integrity of other small nations.