Múte Egede, Greenland’s prime minister, said his country would pursue closer defense and business ties to U.S.

While Trump has cited “national security” reasons for wanting to acquire the island inhabited by about 56,000 people, there’s another big appeal that he’s been leaving out of his press conferences. Greenland is a treasure trove of minerals the U.S. needs to compete with China, and the island hasn’t been quick (enough) to fork them over.

The President-elect’s brand of America First isolationism has always sat awkwardly with his Napoleonic tendencies.