"Unacceptable." For Donald Trump, there is no alternative to US control of Greenland, but for Copenhagen and Nuuk, the conquest of the island is a red line that cannot be crossed. The summit in Washington between the high-level American delegation and those of Denmark and Greenland, though "frank and constructive," failed to bring about a reconnaissance. And Europe is mobilizing, with Germany, France, Norway, and Sweden announcing the dispatch of troops for a reconnaissance mission , at the request of Copenhagen, which is also ready to strengthen its military presence on the island.
For the commander-in-chief, who for months has been emphasizing the risk of the autonomous territory in the Arctic falling into the hands of Russia and China, it's a matter of security . But it's also a matter of natural resources, oil and rare earths, which Greenland is rich in. According to estimates by academics and former officials , the United States could pay up to $700 billion to annex it, half the Pentagon's annual budget. For Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, Trump's control of the island is "absolutely unnecessary." The minister said his government is "ready and available" to commit to increasing security in the Arctic and will continue discussions with Washington in the coming weeks through a high-level working group. He also admitted that, during the meeting at the Eisenhower Building, he and his Greenlandic counterpart Vivian Motzfeldt failed to change the tycoon's mind. "It's clear that the American president has this desire to conquer Greenland, and we've made it unequivocally clear that this is not in our interests." A point echoed by Motzfedt, who, in his native language, bluntly stated that Greenland "does not want to be conquered by the United States."
Denmark has just announced that it will "strengthen" its military presence in Greenland and focus on a greater NATO presence in the Arctic. This is perhaps a response to US criticism of its defense investments in the region. At Copenhagen's request, Sweden will also contribute military personnel. "Some officers from the Swedish armed forces are arriving in Greenland today to prepare the next steps in the Danish exercise 'Operation Arctic Endurance,'" Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced on X. And the first soldiers from Germany could arrive on the Arctic island as early as this week.
According to Bild, an initial reconnaissance patrol could depart shortly. Paris has also said it is ready to participate in the mission. As the situation in the Arctic takes on the appearance of a confrontation between Europe and the United States, The Donald continues his expansionist campaign on social media. "The United States needs Greenland for national security reasons," he reiterated on Truth. "NATO will become stronger and more effective with Greenland in US hands," the tycoon added, perhaps partially correcting the statement he made in a lengthy interview with the New York Times in which he said he was ready to choose between annexing the island and maintaining the unity of the Atlantic Alliance. In that interview, the American president went so far as to say that control of Greenland is "psychologically important" to him.
"NATO should lead the way to achieving it. If we don't do it, Russia or China will, and that can't happen!" the commander-in-chief insisted, maintaining that the operation is "fundamental" to Golden Dome, the mega-US missile defense project . This warning was also shared by the Joe Biden administration, which created a dedicated office at the Pentagon: the Arctic and Global Resilience Policy Office. In 2024, the body developed a strategy for the region, which emphasized Washington's need to increase defense capabilities in the Arctic, expand security cooperation with allies, and strengthen readiness for military operations. The office was later closed by the Trump administration, which evidently has other plans.
(Unioneonline)