President Donald Trump has always had a knack for turning heads with his love for gold, from the iconic gilded Trump Tower to the lavish Mar-a-Lago ballroom.
Now, it seems his taste for opulence could extend even further — possibly even to a remote tropical island., an island currently part of Papua New Guinea, has been presented to Trump as the “deal of the century.”
Could this island be the next to join the United States?
Bougainville’s Path to Independence
Bougainville’s bid for independence isn’t new. Back in 2019, the island voted overwhelmingly in favor of becoming an independent nation.
However, the referendum result wasn’t legally binding, leaving the region stuck in a political limbo.
The island’s president, Ishmael Toroama, a former rebel commander, remains optimistic about their future.
He has set a goal for full statehood by 2027, despite the significant hurdles standing in their way.
Toroama has openly expressed that if the U.S. were to back Bougainville’s independence, it could pave the way for a closer relationship between the island and the United States.
Bougainville is home to massive mineral wealth, including the Panguna mine, once one of the world’s largest sources of copper and gold.
The mine is believed to still hold billions of dollars worth of resources, making Bougainville an enticing prospect for both economic and geopolitical reasons.
The Strategic Importance of Bougainville’s Gold and Copper
At the heart of the fight for Bougainville’s independence is its natural wealth.
The Panguna mine, although shut down due to the civil war, remains an important piece of the island’s economic future.
It’s estimated that the mine still holds around 5.84 million tons of copper and nearly 20 million ounces of gold, worth around $60 billion today.
With its proximity to Australia and its rich resources, Bougainville is seen as a valuable strategic asset in the growing power struggle between the U.S. and China.
However, not everyone is convinced that Bougainville’s future lies with the United States. Ian Kemish, Australia’s former High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, has expressed skepticism.
He suggests that despite the island’s resources, the geopolitical value of an independent Bougainville might not be as significant as some believe.
Still, from a global perspective, an independent Bougainville could be advantageous to either the U.S. or China.
Political Stalemate and Bougainville’s Tense History
Despite overwhelming support for independence, Bougainville’s path to statehood is still blocked.
Papua New Guinea’s national parliament has shown little interest in granting the island full independence.
The fear of breaking the territorial integrity of the country remains a significant obstacle, with concerns that allowing Bougainville to go could spark a domino effect, encouraging other regions to seek independence.
The history between Bougainville and Papua New Guinea is fraught with tension.
Bougainville declared independence in 1975, only to be absorbed back into Papua New Guinea a year later, which sparked a brutal civil war that lasted nearly a decade.
While a peace deal was signed in 2001, legal independence for Bougainville still requires approval from Papua New Guinea’s parliament.
This situation has only been exacerbated by the failure to meet a 2023 deadline for ratifying the terms of independence.
Bougainville’s Vision for Economic Independence
Despite these obstacles, Bougainville’s leaders, particularly President Toroama, are committed to unlocking the island’s economic potential.
With the vast resources in the Panguna mine, Toroama believes that independence is crucial for the island’s future.
He remains determined, saying, “No one will stop our people.”
Bougainville, home to just over 300,000 people, would be one of the world’s smallest countries, roughly the size of Cyprus.
It’s not just the resources that make it appealing to global powers; its location, just north of Australia, also holds strategic value in the Pacific region.
Trump’s History of Territorial Ambitions
Trump’s interest in expanding U.S. territory is nothing new. His desire to purchase Greenland in 2019 is one of the most memorable moments of his presidency.
He famously floated the idea of acquiring the Arctic island, citing its natural resources and military potential.
The proposal was met with strong rejection from Denmark and Greenland’s government, but Trump never backed down.
Instead, he suggested that his idea was a strategic move that others failed to see.
Trump’s territorial ambitions don’t stop there. He has also joked about making Canada the 51st U.S. state, citing shared culture and trade ties.
Though likely meant as a jest, the suggestion fits within Trump’s broader approach to geopolitics — one rooted in a dealmaker’s mindset.
What’s Next for Bougainville?
While Bougainville’s independence remains uncertain, the island’s future continues to capture attention on the global stage.
If it succeeds in gaining recognition, it would be the first new country admitted to the United Nations since South Sudan in 2011.
The island’s vast mineral wealth, its location, and its potential for independence make it a fascinating geopolitical story — one that could see Bougainville becoming the next big thing in international relations.
The White House has not yet commented on the potential for U.S. involvement in Bougainville’s independence, but if history is any guide, President Trump’s interest in the region could be just the beginning of another bold geopolitical move.