Danish authorities have reportedly communicated their willingness to discuss expanding the U.S. military presence in Greenland with President-elect Donald Trump’s team, according to a report by Axios.
The move addresses Trump’s security concerns regarding the strategic Arctic territory without entertaining territorial ambitions.
Sources familiar with the matter revealed that Danish officials privately conveyed their readiness to discuss enhancing security measures in Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory. The initiative reportedly seeks to reassure the incoming U.S. administration that security objectives in the region can be achieved without pursuing sovereignty over Greenland.
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Denmark’s overture comes amid escalating tensions following Trump’s controversial remarks suggesting U.S. territorial aspirations for Greenland and raising the prospect of military or economic coercion.
A European diplomat expressed surprise at the diplomatic friction, saying, “Denmark has long been one of the closest U.S. allies within the EU. No one imagined it would become the first country with which Trump would pick a fight.”
At a press conference held earlier this week at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Trump declined to rule out military or economic measures to address issues involving Greenland and the Panama Canal. The President-elect reiterated his belief that the U.S. should regain control over the Panama Canal and suggested that Greenland should become U.S. territory, reigniting controversy over his foreign policy approach.
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Trump’s statements have drawn widespread attention, with many critics warning of potential diplomatic fallout. Pentagon Deputy Spokeswoman Sabrina Singh clarified that she is unaware of any current plans for military action in Greenland, tamping down speculation about immediate U.S. intervention.
Greenland, located in the Arctic, is of significant strategic and geopolitical importance due to its natural resources and its position between North America and Europe. The U.S. already maintains the Thule Air Base in Greenland, a key military installation for missile defense and early-warning systems.
Trump’s prior interest in purchasing Greenland, floated during his first term as president, was met with swift rejection by Denmark and sparked a diplomatic row. The recent report suggests that Denmark aims to avoid reigniting such tensions while addressing shared security concerns.
Denmark’s willingness to negotiate military cooperation in Greenland signals an attempt to navigate Trump’s assertive foreign policy stance while preserving the strong U.S.-Danish alliance.
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