If anyone can cause an international incident without even trying, it’s old 45/almost 47.
In 2019, in what just may have been a case of existential presidential musing that caught on, Donald Trump mulled over, you know…buying Greenland. Everybody had a case of ‘WHERE the hell did THAT come from?”
But it’s Trump, and you roll with it.
Donald Trump has confirmed he is considering an attempt to buy Greenland for strategic reasons, though he said the idea is “not No1 on the burner”.
The government of the semi-autonomous Danish territory insisted it was not for sale. The Danish prime minister called any discussion of a sale “absurd”.
Nonetheless, on Sunday White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow first confirmed the story in an interview, before Trump spoke to reporters as he left New Jersey to return from vacation to Washington.
Sometimes, it’s pretty funny as it keeps rolling, which it did. Took on a life of its own.
Eventually, there’s an acceptance phase with some of Trump’s ramblings where you finally think, “Well, yeah. Why not?”
The Danes had themselves an immediate cow, being the owners of Greenland, while island residents seemed to be split on the proposal. Trump was measured and very diplomatic when the subject was broached, as much as one can be when talking about buying another country that didn’t ask to be bought and the owner doesn’t want to be sold.
…“Strategically it’s interesting and we’d be interested but we’ll talk to them a little bit,” Trump told reporters on Sunday.
News of the president’s interest in buying the icy island were met internationally with roars of laughter. But in Greenland and in Denmark, the response ranged from incredulous to indignant.
“I think he’s crazy,” one resident told CBS. Another said the idea felt “patronizing”.
The Danish prime minister has called any discussion of a sale “absurd”.
“We are open for business, but we’re not for sale,” Greenland’s foreign minister, Ane Lone Bagger, said.
“Greenland belongs to Greenland,” said Mette Frederiksen, the Danish prime minister. “ I strongly hope that this is not meant seriously.”
But then the 2020 election abomination happened.
Trump left, POTATUS settled into the dank dirt of the White House basement, and Greenland snoozed on in servitude to the Danish crown.
Those few years of being ignored ended this past fall with Trump’s miraculous reelection. Greenland was on the map again.
Kinda sorta had an inkling he’d revisit the “let’s buy it” scenario just for giggles Still, l mean, he really went after Greenland this time, especially when winsomely ineffectual Fidelito opened the door for him.
The difference between 2019 and now is no one is laughing about it quite as convincingly. In many ways, POTATUS and the world he’s left to Trump are one reason.
The Danes certainly sat right up, and they didn’t sit still. Trump’s victory was only two months old, and he’s yet to be inaugurated, but Denmark wasn’t waiting around for President Trump. They upped their defense spending for Greenland in a massive boost right after Trump mentioned he was still considering making an offer.
The Danes also admitted they hadn’t spent a dime on the place in years.
The Danish government has announced a huge boost in defence spending for Greenland, hours after US President-elect Donald Trump repeated his desire to purchase the Arctic territory.
Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said the package was a “double digit billion amount” in krone, or at least $1.5bn (£1.2bn).
He described the timing of the announcement as an “irony of fate”. On Monday Trump said ownership and control of the huge island was an “absolute necessity” for the US.
Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, is home to a large US space facility and is strategically important for the US, lying on the shortest route from North America to Europe. It has major mineral reserves.
Poulsen said the package would allow for the purchase of two new inspection ships, two new long-range drones and two extra dog sled teams.
It would also include funding for increased staffing at Arctic Command in the capital Nuuk and an upgrade for one of Greenland’s three main civilian airports to handle F-35 supersonic fighter aircraft.
And none of this had anything to do with Trump. Purely coincidental, you know.
…Analysts say that the plan has been under discussion for a long time and should not be seen as a direct response to Trump’s comments.
RIGHT
As I said, no one’s really snickering this time around.
“There is far more to this putative land grab than initially meets the eye. European officials would be wise to take it seriously.”
Greenland is an asset, however much the Danes ignore it.
…There are plenty of reasons why Trump might actually be serious about a Greenland purchase. Those who support his plan cite both the Kremlin’s permanent Arctic fleet at Murmansk in north-west Russia and the Chinese Communist Party’s growing naval power. Greenland has both military and strategic significance, as well as a lot of vital minerals.
The minerals question is not trivial. Greenland has supplies of uranium, lithium, graphite and rare earths. Trump may hope that climate change will melt Greenland’s ice sheet, making these more accessible. As it stands, mining in Greenland is a tough business and the impact of climate change on the Arctic tends to be exaggerated.
…Melting ice could also open up a major route for freighters around Greenland’s west coast. Washington fears these waters could come to be dominated by China, which has put in a great deal of effort into trying to expand its influence over Greenland. Last year, the CCP welcomed a Greenlandic diplomatic office to Beijing. And although Chinese investment in Greenland’s three airports and in its mining industry have for now been rebuffed by locals, the US is no doubt keen to ensure Beijing can’t get a foothold in such a strategically important region.
This is not just about keeping global trade routes open. Vital infrastructure, including undersea cables, are at risk of sabotage if control of these seas fall into Chinese or Russian hands. Only recently, Kremlin spy ships were spotted monitoring cables in the Irish Sea and were suspected of cutting some in the Baltic Sea. Just last month, the Danish military detained a Chinese-flagged vessel in the Baltic, suspecting it had been responsible for cutting two data cables on the sea floor.
Trump has been keeping the pressure on these countries even before his right hand goes up, and it has been amazing watching them sweat.
At a press conference today, when a reporter asked, ‘Can you say you won’t use economic or military coercion?’ Trump’s answer was a flat, unequivocal ‘No.’
Oh, hello.
Reporter: Can you assure the world that as you try to get control of Greenland and the Panama Canal, that you won’t use military or economic coercion?
Jarring press conference footage for Greenland and Danish officials to digest even as Trump’s envoy, his son Don Jr, arrived in Nuuk this afternoon, ostensibly for podcast footage…
🇺🇸🇬🇱 | Donald Trump Jr. landed in Nuuk to discuss the possibility of the US buying Greenland
To most, this idea sounds absurd. What’s the point?
It’s actually incredibly strategic & I believe I’ve pinpointed why this is likely to happen…🧵pic.twitter.com/QH4YC3gjuS
When it’s a Trump full-court press, whatever the true goal, it’s pretty impressive to watch as it unfolds.
For their part, and this is where my headline ties in, the Danish royal court has fearlessly waded into the battle, doing what it can to fend off the American invaders.
Denmark changes coat of arms after Trump offers to buy Greenland
Updated design highlights polar bear symbol of island more distinctly
The King of Denmark has altered the royal coat of arms to feature Greenland more prominently amid Donald Trump’s declared interest in buying the territory.
The US president-elect has suggested that Washington could purchase the world’s largest island, which has been under Denmark’s effective control since the 14th century, and “make Greenland great again”.
“Greenland is an incredible place, and the people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our nation,” Mr Trump said in a post on his Truth Social site, adding: “We will protect it, and cherish it, from a very vicious outside world. Make Greenland great again!”
Donald Trump Jr visited Greenland on Tuesday in a private capacity to record material for a podcast.
Yup. Made the polar bear larger on the label, as it were.
As ‘take that’s‘ go…it’s not much, bless their hearts.
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