Why Trump Needs Greenland: Financial Times Explains

Why Trump needs Greenland: Financial Times explains Alexandra Sadovaya

Newly elected US President Donald Trump has stated his desire to buy Greenland. He also refused to rule out the possibility of a military takeover of the island.

However, Greenland is of strategic importance to the United States, especially due to its location and geopolitical role. This is reported by Channel 24with reference to the Financial Times.

Geostrategic importance

It is noted that Greenland is a key element of the US national security system. In particular, the Pituffik space base is located there – the northernmost US military base, located 1,500 kilometers from the North Pole. It performs the functions of early warning of missiles, space surveillance and satellite control.

Also for the United States, these are new sea routes. Melting Arctic ice opens up shorter trade routes, such as the Northwest and Northeast Passages.

In addition, it is the proximity to Russia and China. Mikkel Runge Olesen, a senior research fellow at the Danish Institute of International Studies, explained that the United States has begun to view the Arctic as an area of ​​geopolitical competition.

Trump “would be wise to shut his mouth”

Greenland is home to 57,000 people. Its autonomous government is seeking independence from Denmark. However, economic difficulties and the need for external security guarantees make this a difficult task. Local officials have expressed readiness to expand the US presence on the island, in particular by opening new military bases.

We do not want a new colonial power. But it is clear that we cannot take care of our own defense, noted one of the representatives of the Greenlandic authorities.

Trump's former national security adviser John Bolton suggested that Trump “would be wise to shut up” and let officials in Washington, Copenhagen and Nuuk work out new relationships. But the newly elected US president is unlikely to listen.

Despite Trump's desire to gain control of Greenland, his aggressive rhetoric, including threats against Denmark, could only complicate the process.

Trump's motives and Denmark's reaction

Donald Trump has said that Greenland is key to national security. Trump's former national security adviser John Bolton explained that “Greenland has been closely tied to U.S. security since World War II.”

Denmark has resolutely stated that Greenland is not for sale. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen has announced his readiness to hold discussions with the United States on strengthening cooperation in the Arctic.

Explanation of Trump's future adviser

Reuters reports that Trump's future national security adviser Mike Volz has explained why control over Greenland is important to the newly elected president of the United States. According to him, the island is important for the national security of the United States.

You have Russia, which is trying to become the king of the Arctic, with 60-plus icebreakers, some of which are nuclear-powered. We have two, and one just caught fire, he noted.

He added that it also talks about minerals and natural resources. In particular, oil and gas, which is national security.

“Now that the polar ice caps are melting, the Chinese are bringing in icebreakers and moving in there too. So it's oil and gas. It's our national security,” Volz added.