Denmark bolstering Greenland defense after Trump ownership comments

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Axios

Updated 7 hours ago


Denmark is increasing defense spending in Greenland, said a Danish official Tuesday who called the announcement's timing with President-elect Trump's suggestion that the U.S. should own the territory an "irony of fate."

The big picture: Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen told the outlet Jyllands-Posten on Tuesday of plans to spend a "double-digit billion amount" in krone, equivalent to at least $1.5 billion, on the self-ruled territory that's part of its kingdom to ensure a "stronger presence" in the Arctic.

Trump said on the Sunday the "ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity" for the U.S., which has a strategically important base on the northwest coast of the territory.

His remarks that built on comments he made during his first term about buying Greenland prompted the territory's prime minister to say on Monday that it is "not for sale and will never be for sale."

State of play: Poulsen told Jyllands-Posten the Danish government's plan for Greenland included long-range drones, more inspection ships and sled patrols in the territory and an upgrade the Kangerlussuaq Airport so it can accommodate F-35 fighter jets.

He that Denmark had "not invested enough" for many years in in the Arctic — where countries including China and Russia have been racing for resources in the region that's feeling the effects of climate change.

Russia has already sought to claim territory up to Greenland's Exclusive Economic Zone.

Between the lines: The Danish Defense Academy's Army Maj. Steen Kjaergaard told the BBC Tuesday that Trump may have been pressing Denmark's government to act on this threat.

"It is likely to be sparked by the renewed Trump focus on the need for air and maritime control around Greenland and the internal developments in Greenland where some are voicing a will to look towards the U.S. — a new international airport in Nuuk was just inaugurated," Kjaergaard said.

Read more: https://www.axios.com/2024/12/24/denmark-greenland-defense-spending-trump-us-control-comments

[bronxiteforever]

1. Kick

[Scrivener7]

2. He's such a fucking troll.

[Irish_Dem]

3. Democracies around the world have to increase defense sending and the arms race.

To protect against the fascist threat, especially now that the US has aligned with the fascists.

Money that could be used to fight global warming, and other much needed remedies for
ills that pose threats to the planet and the people on it.

[littlemissmartypants]

4. And just like that...

Groceries stay expensive and our friends are suddenly at risk of being our enemies.

❤️

[dutch777]

5. Denmark should have told Trump f*** off and then did this quietly. DON"T give him a victory to claim.

[SunSeeker]

6. Denmark should just buy the US; Musk did it for only around $250 Million.

I love good satire:

[Thunderbeast]

7. He is sounding like Benito Mussolini!

His fever dream is to be the dictator of an ever-expanding empire. Manifest Destiny on steroids.

This is all a distraction...not policy. Notice how we suddenly stopped talking about failed appointments and inflation?

Buckle up Redhats! You idiots are about to find out the price of your ignorance.

[rickford66]

8. Don't we still have an AF Base in Greenland ?

[LudwigPastorius]

9. Pittuffik Space Base

It used to be Thule AF base.

I don't think they fly regular reconnaissance flights out of there anymore, just remote surveillance.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pituffik_Space_Base

[rickford66]

10. I thought Thule might still be active

Thanks

[C0RI0LANUS]

11. Why is Trumpf interested in Greenland? Background info may help explain it.

Greenland has a population of 57,751; GDP per capita: $68,100 (2021 est.).

Economic overview per CIA World Factbook:

Large self-governing Danish territorial economy; preferential EU market access; high-income economy; dependent on Danish financial support, even for whaling and sealing industries; growing tourism; hydropower-fueled but environmentally fragile economy

Export partners: Denmark 49%, China 24%, UK 6%, Japan 5%, Taiwan 3% (2022)

Exports: fish, shellfish, processed crustaceans, precious stones, animal products (2022)

Gov't of Greenland Report: "Large Potential for Critical Minerals in Greenland and the Nordic Countries"

Excerpt:

"Already, there are several exploration and mining projects in Greenland focused on a number of the critical minerals such as: Cobalt, Graphite, Niobium, Platinum Group Metals, Rare Earth Metals, Tantalum, Titanium and Vanadium. However, these projects only cover comparatively small areas of the prospective areas, so the potential for new discoveries are significant. In addition, the report states the potential for Hafnium, Lithium and Silicon metals as high even though these minerals have not seen focused exploration efforts in Greenland so far."


Rare earth metals are essential components of many technological products, including:

Mobile phones; Computers; Batteries; Electric vehicles; and Wind turbines.




Newly inaugurated Nuuk Airport, Greenland

Sources:


https://govmin.gl/2022/03/report-large-potential-for-critical-minerals-in-greenland-and-the-nordic-countries/

https://www.innovationnewsnetwork.com/why-world-turning-to-greenlands-rare-earth-metals/32694/

CIA World Factbook