Following Donald Trump Jr.’s recent Greenland visit, President-elect Trump’s statements regarding the island’s acquisition have intensified.
During a Mar-a-Lago press conference, President-elect Trump refused to rule out using military or economic pressure to acquire Greenland. He stated the island’s acquisition is crucial for U.S. national security and the protection of the free world.
Conversely, Denmark’s prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, firmly asserted Greenland’s non-negotiable status, emphasizing its autonomy while acknowledging the U.S.’s significant role in the region over Russia or other nations.
A Greenlandic referendum on continued Danish affiliation is scheduled for later this year. The island’s strategic location is pivotal as the U.S., China, and Russia vie for dominance in the thawing Arctic.
Denmark, and thus Greenland, is a NATO member. Article 5 of the NATO treaty mandates collective military action in response to an attack on any ally.
“Discussing Article 5 implications is unproductive, as U.S. military force against a NATO ally is highly improbable,” commented Ian Bremmer, president of the Eurasia Group.
Bremmer further noted that such threats from the President-elect erode trust among U.S. allies and undermine the international rule of law, leading towards a more adversarial global landscape.
Trump’s 2019 proposal to purchase Greenland stemmed from its substantial rare earth mineral reserves, vital for electronics, semiconductors, defense, and clean energy sectors.
Sherri Goodman, former Pentagon undersecretary for Environmental Security, highlighted Greenland’s strategic importance, referencing the U.S. military base used to track Russian missiles and satellites.
Goodman emphasized that climate change is increasing accessibility to Greenland, affecting its strategic value. Post-WWII, President Truman sought to acquire Greenland to counter Soviet influence in the Arctic. During the Cold War, the Arctic served as a crucial route for nuclear exchanges, with the GIUK Gap near Greenland being a key access point for Russia. Pituffik Space Force Base, the northernmost U.S. military installation, houses significant portions of the global missile warning and space surveillance systems.
China’s Arctic ambitions have escalated recently, including plans to develop infrastructure and shipping routes facilitated by climate change. Chinese state-owned companies have unsuccessfully bid for land in Iceland and Greenland.
The Arctic’s rapid warming—four times faster than the global average—increases access to its mineral resources.
“The U.S., NATO, and its allies aim to prevent China from accessing these resources, given China’s history of using scientific endeavors for territorial gain in the Arctic,” Goodman explained.
Responding to queries about Greenland, Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh deferred comment to the incoming administration.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken dismissed the idea of acquiring Greenland, calling it impractical and unproductive.