Denmark strengthens defenses of Greenland after Trump reiterates desire for US control

Analysts say the plan has been under discussion for a long time and should not be seen as a direct response to Trump’s comments.

They say Denmark has so far been slow to expand its military presence in Greenland, but if the country fails to protect the waters around the territory from Chinese and Russian aggression, then demands for more US control will increase.

Army Major Steen Kjaergaard of the Danish Defense Academy speculates that Trump may have intended to pressure Denmark into taking such a step.

“It may be due to Trump’s renewed focus on domestic developments in Greenland, the need for air and sea control around Greenland and some expressing a desire to look to the United States – a new international airport has opened in Nuuk. “said the BBC.

“I think Trump is smart … he’s getting Denmark to prioritize its military capabilities in the Arctic by raising that voice without having to take over an un-American welfare system,” he added, referring to Greenland’s heavy dependence on subsidies from Copenhagen.

Trump’s initial proposal in 2019 for the United States to buy Greenland, the world’s largest island, drew equally sharp rebuke from its leaders.

At the time, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called the idea “absurd”. Trump will cancel his state visit to the country.

He is not the first US president to propose buying Greenland. The idea was first proposed in the 1860s during the presidency of Andrew Johnson.