US plans to acquire Greenland, sparking tensions with Denmark. US President Donald Trump's administration has been exploring options for acquiring the island nation, citing strategic and economic benefits. However, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warns that an American takeover would mark the end of NATO and undermine regional stability.
The US already has a military presence in Greenland through a 1951 defense agreement with Denmark. The current focus is partly due to "the realization we need to increase our presence in the Arctic," according to Atlantic Council's associate director Imran Bayoumi. Trump, however, claims that owning Greenland would enhance American security and provide access to mineral resources.
A takeover by force is considered unlikely, as it could plunge NATO into a crisis and damage US relationships with allies worldwide. Even if the US manages to take control of Greenland, it would likely come with significant costs due to the island's existing Danish citizenship and welfare system.
Bilateral agreements may be more effective in achieving US interests. The US already operates the remote Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland, which supports missile warning and surveillance operations for both the US and NATO. Denmark could update its defense agreement to allow a beefed-up American military presence.
However, tensions are unlikely to dissipate due to Trump's ability to shift the news agenda with just one mention of "Greenland." As Ulrik Pram Gad, an expert on Greenland at DIIS, noted, "When Trump wants to change the news agenda - including distracting from domestic political problems - he can just say the word 'Greenland' and this starts all over again."
The situation highlights ongoing challenges in Arctic geopolitics and the need for sustained diplomatic efforts to address these issues.
The US already has a military presence in Greenland through a 1951 defense agreement with Denmark. The current focus is partly due to "the realization we need to increase our presence in the Arctic," according to Atlantic Council's associate director Imran Bayoumi. Trump, however, claims that owning Greenland would enhance American security and provide access to mineral resources.
A takeover by force is considered unlikely, as it could plunge NATO into a crisis and damage US relationships with allies worldwide. Even if the US manages to take control of Greenland, it would likely come with significant costs due to the island's existing Danish citizenship and welfare system.
Bilateral agreements may be more effective in achieving US interests. The US already operates the remote Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland, which supports missile warning and surveillance operations for both the US and NATO. Denmark could update its defense agreement to allow a beefed-up American military presence.
However, tensions are unlikely to dissipate due to Trump's ability to shift the news agenda with just one mention of "Greenland." As Ulrik Pram Gad, an expert on Greenland at DIIS, noted, "When Trump wants to change the news agenda - including distracting from domestic political problems - he can just say the word 'Greenland' and this starts all over again."
The situation highlights ongoing challenges in Arctic geopolitics and the need for sustained diplomatic efforts to address these issues.