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US President Donald Trump has ridiculed Denmark’s attempts to defend Greenland with extra patrols, including two extra dog sleds as he insists America would take control of the strategically crucial Arctic island.
Denmark’s defense minister conceded the Nordic country has not done enough to protect its self-governing territory of Greenland, but revealed plans to spend $1.5 billion on two new inspection ships, two drones and two dog sled patrols after Trump renewed his interest in the island.
“I believe Greenland we will get – because it really has to do with the freedom of the world. This has nothing to do with the United States, other than us being able to provide freedom. They [Denmark] can’t. They put two dog sleds in there two weeks ago, they thought it was protection,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One this weekend.
Trump held a 45-minute phone call with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen last week, which five current and former senior EU officials described to the Financial Times as Fiery and confrontational.
Officials said the Danish government was in ‘crisis mode’ after Trump took the unprecedented step of refusing to rule out military action to take territory from a NATO ally and threatened tariffs targeted against him. The United States already has the only military base in Greenland, in the north of the island.
Denmark’s military presence in Greenland is currently limited to an Arctic command of just 75 personnel and equipment consisting of four ships, a surveillance aircraft and several dog sled patrols.
Danish and Greenland officials have said the United States could increase its military presence on the island, and that there have been periodic discussions about a second base or more personnel.
Troels Lund Poulsen, Minister of Defense of Denmark, said On Christmas Eve, along with new ships, drones and dog sled patrols, Copenhagen would also improve the runway at one of Greenland’s main airports to allow F-35 fighter jets – operated by both the States -United and the Nordic country – to land.
The United States has repeatedly recognized Danish sovereignty over Greenland, including when it purchased what are now the US Virgin Islands from Denmark in 1917.
But Trump said on Air Force One: ‘I don’t really know what Denmark has for this, but it would be a very hostile act if they didn’t allow this to happen because it’s for the protection of the world free. It’s not for us, it’s for the free world. Right now you have Russian ships, you have Chinese ships, you have ships from various countries. This is not a good situation.
He added: “I think Greenland will be worked out with us. I think we’re going to get it. I think people want to be with us.
European countries are racing to figure out how to respond to Trump’s threats against Denmark without finding themselves in his crosshairs. Some urged Frederiksen to “fight back” against the US president. So far, the Danish prime minister has insisted Greenland is not for sale but has welcomed an increase in US interest in the Arctic.
The Danish prime minister’s office said it “does not recognize the interpretation of the conversation” between Trump and Frederiksen, but declined to explain details with which it disagreed. US officials have not disputed the FT’s reports.
