American investors from Silicon Valley are pressuring the Trump administration to build a libertarian ‘freedom city’ in Greenland, according to Reuters.
Investors’ Plans for “Freedom City”
In April of last year, Reuters described plans from Silicon Valley investors to build a “freedom city” on the island. According to these plans, American entrepreneurs would construct a technological center with minimal legal regulations for corporations, implementing a libertarian “startup city” concept.
The project could include construction of nuclear microreactors, high-speed rail, space infrastructure, autonomous vehicles, and an artificial intelligence center, according to Reuters.
Support from Tech Entrepreneurs
Reuters reported that the plans were taken seriously by Ken Howery, whom Donald Trump appointed as US Ambassador to Denmark. Howery had previously worked with Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal and Palantir.
Thiel has long promoted the idea of building cities with fewer regulations that allow for freer corporate activity. Similar solutions are supported by another tech entrepreneur, Marc Andreessen. Reuters sources revealed that Thiel and Andreessen are among the business leaders supporting the creation of a “freedom city” in Greenland.
Growing Influence of Tech Magnates
Donald Trump claims the US must take control of Greenland for security reasons. Meanwhile, Reuters noted that the reports about a “freedom city” plan on the island reveal the “growing influence of tech magnates” in the US.
Journalist Sylwia Czubkowska commented on Reuters’ findings, writing: “The huge controversy around Greenland from Trump and the US officially revolves around security and US ambitions. But there may be another reason here, one that borders on tech-utopia. That is, the startup city concept promoted by tech overlords.”