The US president has restated his desire for the US to acquire the Arctic island from Denmark
A Danish lawmaker, Rasmus Jarlov, who chairs the Defense Committee, has cautioned that President Trump’s plan to acquire Greenland could potentially trigger a conflict between the US and Denmark. Jarlov emphasized that Denmark would not consider ceding the Arctic island to the US.
Jarlov’s comments followed a meeting between Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, where Trump reiterated his desire for Greenland to become part of the US. When asked about his “vision on the potential annexation of Greenland,” Trump stated, “I think it will happen,” and suggested NATO could “be instrumental” in facilitating the process.
While Rutte did not explicitly support the idea, he did acknowledge Trump’s valid concerns regarding security in the Arctic, pointing to the increasing presence of Russia and China in the region.
In a Friday post on X, Jarlov expressed Denmark’s displeasure with the NATO Secretary General “joking with Trump about Greenland like this.”
He warned that such a scenario “would mean war between two NATO countries,” reiterating Denmark’s consistent refusal to consider relinquishing control of Greenland. In a separate post, he asserted that “joining the US remains completely out of the question” for Greenland and that the only way it could happen is “if the USA invades militarily.”
Jarlov also noted that “Greenland has just voted against immediate independence from Denmark and does not want to be American ever,” referencing the center-right Democrats’ victory in Greenland’s recent parliamentary elections. The party has strongly criticized Trump’s ambitions, instead favoring economic growth and a gradual path toward independence.
Greenland has long held strategic importance due to its geographic location and untapped mineral resources. The former Danish colony gained self-rule in 1979 but remains under Denmark’s jurisdiction regarding foreign policy, defense, and monetary policy. Trump initially proposed buying Greenland in 2019, an idea that was quickly dismissed by both Denmark and Greenland’s government. Since returning to office, he has revived discussions about US ownership, deeming the island vital to American security and economic interests.
While election results indicate Greenland’s continued opposition to Trump’s plans, experts suggest the situation could evolve. Despite the Democrats winning the most seats, they lack a majority and will need to form a coalition. The second-largest party, Naleraq, has indicated openness to closer ties with the US. However, some analysts believe the Democrats may seek alliances with smaller parties that also support a gradual approach to independence.
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