Donald Trump has repeatedly said that Washington needs the strategic, resource-rich Arctic island for security reasons – and has refused to rule out the use of force to secure it.
Just hours after the US military operation in Venezuela, MAGA firebrand Katie Miller – the wife of Donald Trump’s Deputy Chief of Staff Steven Miller – posted a map of Greenland draped in the American flag.
Sharing the post on X, she wrote: “Soon.”
The threat to annex theDanish autonomous territorycoveted by Washington drew widespread outrage from Greenlandewrs and Danes.
Copenhagen’s ambassador to the US, Jesper Møller Sørensen, reposted Miller’s provocation with a “friendly reminder” of the longstanding defence ties between the two countries.
He wrote: “We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security.
“The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic.”
Just a few weeks ago, Jeff Landry, Trump’s new special envoy to Greenland, vowed to make the strategic territory “a part of the US”.
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen declared that “national borders and the sovereignty of states are rooted in internationallaw“.
Announcing Landry’s appointment, Trump said on social media: “I am pleased to announce that I am appointing the GREAT Governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, as theUnited StatesSpecial Envoy to Greenland.”
He added that Landry “understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Country’s Interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies, and indeed, the World.”
Thanking the US president, Landry replied: “It’s an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to makeGreenlanda part of the US.”
Such comments have sparked fresh fury in Greenland, an autonomous territory which largely depends on subsidies fromDenmark, equivalent to a fifth of its GDP.
The Danish foreign minister toldtelevisionTV2 Mr Landry’s appointment and statements were “totally unacceptable” and said his ministry would call in the US ambassador in the coming days “to get an explanation”.
“As long as we have a kingdom inDenmarkthat consists of Denmark, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland, we cannot accept that there are those who undermine our sovereignty,” he said.
Trump has consistently refused to rule out using military force to seize the island.
And he previously boasted that the people of Greenland wanted to be part of the US.
“I think the people want to be with us,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One on January 25.
But most Greenlanders oppose joining the US, but the majority are in favour of eventual independence from Denmark,opinionpolls suggest.
Trump had also been putting pressure on Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen despite reportedly beingtold to “f**k off”by the Danes.
The Arctic is increasingly the object of a struggle between international superpowers.
Greenland, located betweenNorth AmericaandEurope, is strategic at a time of rising US, Chinese and Russian interest in the region as theracefor rare earths heats up
Greenland’s location also puts it on the shortest route for missiles between Russia and the US.
RussiaandChinahave both ramped up efforts to take control of the region, and concerns exist that America has been caught off guard.
The US has its Pituffik military base in Greenland, an essential part ofWashington‘s missile-defence infrastructure.
It also opened a consulate on the island in June 2020.
Earlier in March, Vice PresidentJD Vanceblasted Denmark for not keeping Greenland safe from the looming threats fromChinaand Russia.
Trump’s number twoarrived in Greenland with his wife Ushafor a controversial visit.
He told Space Force guardians at the base that Greenland’s security is under threat from Russia and China and “we must wake up to that”.
Vance blasted Denmark for failing to keep the strategic Arctic island – which he said was America’s first line of defence – safe in a blistering attack during a heated press conference.
The VP then added that America needs to lead in the Arctic region security and protect its interests.
In August, Denmark summoned the US charge d’affaires after reports of attempted interference in Greenland.
How US could seize Greenland in 24 hours
If Trump did invade, America’s military might would end the war in a day,politicsprofessor Anthony Glees told The Sun.
Speaking to The Sun, Glees said Trump will be surrounded by “people who think he is great” – and it means he will be able to go ahead with any wild ideas he has.
Glees said: “In other words, we have to take him seriously.
“And if Trump wanted to take Greenland by force, he could do it in 24 hours.”
Ulrik Pram Gad, a senior researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies, toldPoliticothat “there is no defensive capacity in Greenland”.
And it means it would be “the shortest war in the world”.
The conflict would present an “unchartered” situation after the US entered a pact with Denmark in 1951 to defend Greenland against any attack.
The US has a nuclear base on the island that is constantly manned by troops.
Kristian Søby Kristensen, a military researcher at the University of Copenhagen, said: “Who would the Americans be fighting? Their own military?”