The recent American strike in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have ignited unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the resource-rich landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only hours after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a large amount specifically for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television appearance, the leader declined to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing great-power rivalry in the Arctic. "I don't rule it out. I don't say I'm going to do it, but I don't rule out anything... We need Greenland very badly," he remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
