Hawaii was an independent nation until the 1890s. The McKinley Tariff, however, made it impossible for ethnic American sugar plantation owners to make money by exporting to the United States. The plantation owners consequently generated a coup and called for military assistance from the US, which was, in fact, forthcoming. This act of imperialism was very controversial, but Hawaii was ultimately annexed because of its value to American security during the Spanish-American War.
Icy Greenland doesn’t look much like balmy Hawaii at first glance, but Trump wants it for its strategic location and its minerals even though it belongs to a fellow NATO member. Could he be contemplating a coup and follow-up invasion–tactics also used in Panama–to expedite a 21st century annexation? It certainly can’t be ruled out, even though, as the Danes correctly note, it would mean the end of NATO.