Denmark Bolsters Greenland’s Military Defenses Following Comments by Trump

December 24, 2024 TruthUSA

Denmark is currently enhancing Greenland’s defense spending in response to escalating tensions in the Arctic, particularly following the renewed interest of the president-elect in acquiring the region.

The Danish government, which oversees significant elements of Greenland as an autonomous territory, has declared a substantial increase in the defense budget for the Arctic island. This announcement comes shortly after President-elect Donald Trump reiterated his desire to buy Greenland, emphasizing security concerns.

Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen stated to Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten on Dec. 24 that the defense package would exceed $1.5 billion. He also noted the perceived irony of the timing of the spending increase in light of Trump’s recent statements.

On Dec. 22, Trump expressed that U.S. control and ownership of Greenland—a self-governing territory under the Kingdom of Denmark—is imperative for national security on a global scale.

The defense package from Denmark includes additions such as inspection ships, drones, dog sled teams, increased staffing for Arctic Command, and enhancements to an F-35 capable airport, according to Poulsen.

“We have neglected investments in the Arctic for many years, but now we are planning to fortify our presence,” he commented.

Greenland, while managing its domestic affairs, has its foreign relations, including defense matters, under Danish jurisdiction. Given its strategic position, Greenland holds significance for the United States as it lies halfway along the shortest route from Europe and Russia to North America. It also hosts a major U.S. space facility and plays a crucial role in Arctic security surveillance and management.

The Arctic region acts as a key path for intercontinental ballistic missiles between the U.S. and Russia, underscoring Greenland’s crucial role as a strategic security outpost amid the heightened competition among global superpowers.

In his first term, Trump also expressed a desire to acquire the strategically positioned Arctic island, which boasts a landmass approximately a quarter of the size of the U.S. but with a population of around 57,000 residents.

The U.S. has previously made attempts to purchase Greenland, dating back to proposals in 1867 and 1946 during Harry Truman’s presidency, both of which were declined by Denmark.

Following Trump’s recent declaration about U.S. intentions concerning Greenland, Greenlandic Prime Minister Mute Egede firmly rejected any notions of selling Greenland.

“Greenland belongs to us. It is not up for sale now or ever. We must not abandon our long fight for independence,” Egede emphasized in a statement on Dec. 23.

Chinese state media view Greenland as a critical strategic center, noting its proximity to Arctic shipping routes and abundant resources of uranium and rare earth minerals. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) introduced its “Polar Silk Road” initiative in 2019 as an extension of the Belt and Road Initiative, with a focus on developing Arctic shipping paths and encouraging Chinese investments in regional infrastructure projects.

Economic connections between Greenland and China have significantly expanded in the past decade, primarily driven by efforts to amplify mineral extraction, oil and gas exploration, and tourism industries in Greenland. This growing reliance of Greenland on China coincides with Beijing’s broader aspirations in the Arctic region.

Denmark and the U.S. are bound by the 1951 Defense Agreement, granting Washington exclusive authority over defense domains within Greenland and boosting surveillance capabilities in Arctic waters—an integral component of NATO’s Arctic strategy.

Greenland is home to the Pituffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Base, situated in the remote northwest region. This base supports personnel from Denmark, Canada, Greenland, and the U.S. Space Force, serving as a pivotal center for space monitoring activities. It also accommodates an Upgraded Early Warning Radar system, which is critical for detecting missile launches from Russia, the Middle East, or countries like North Korea and China that traverse the Arctic.

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