Donald Trump has once again signalled his intention to “acquire” Greenland – and has hinted that he may be prepared to use military force to do so. Mr Trump’s recent comments have ignited a storm of criticism from Danish and Greenlandic officials, but the US President seemed entirely unfazed when discussing the subject on Saturday.
Speaking to NBC while apparently enjoying a round of golf with Finland’s PM Alexander Stubb, the billionaire said: “We’ll get Greenland. Yeah, 100%.” Somewhat ominously, added that while he hoped to avoid military action, “I don’t take anything off the table”. His comments come after Vice President JD Vance’s controversial visit to Greenland, during which he launched a scathing attack on Denmark, of which Greenland is a protectorate.
Speaking on Friday, Mr Vance said: “Our message to Denmark is very simple: You have not done a good job by the people of Greenland.
“You have underinvested in the people of Greenland, and you have underinvested in the security architecture of this incredible, beautiful landmass filled with incredible people. That has to change.”
While avoiding any reference to military options, he said of the Arctic island: “I think they will ultimately partner with the United States.
“We could make them much more secure. We could do a lot more protection. And I think they’d fare a lot better economically as well.”
Mr Trump’s recent comment, and those of Mr Vance, have ignited a storm of criticism from Danish and Greenlandic officials.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen on Saturday stressed that Denmark has long been a NATO ally of the United States and expects more respectful treatment in diplomatic matters, urging the US to “change its tone”.
His criticism reflects growing tensions over US influence in the Arctic region. Greenland’s Prime Minister, Mute Bourup Egede, echoed these sentiments, emphasising that Greenland’s future should be decided by its people, not by outside powers.
The situation has strained relations between the countries, further complicating discussions about the future of the Arctic region, where military and economic interests are deeply intertwined.
In a lengthy assessment of the current situation, Dr Dwayne Ryan Menezes, Founder and Managing Director of Polar Research and Policy Initiative (PRPI), said: “The reality is that in an increasingly multi-polar world wherein a more complex assemblage of alliances and partnerships is inevitable, the post-1945 US-reliant security architecture in the West simply won’t be the best guarantor of our collective security.
“There is a need for greater symmetry in strength within the Alliance, which requires a more even spread of capabilities across it. Europe needs to be able to stand alone, not because it cannot trust the US, but because the new world will require a strong Europe in addition to a strong US.”
However, he added: “Equally, I would urge Trump and Vance to ask themselves whether belligerence in tone is necessary to drive every single point home and to encourage them to give mutual respect a chance.
“As mighty as the US is militarily, its greatest asymmetrical advantage over its adversaries is the steadfast values-based, and not just interest-driven, support provided to it by its allies. The irony of the discord of recent weeks is that only adversaries stand to gain. It is time to return to our unity, which is what they most dread.”
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