Trump’s latest overtures on Greenland after the military effort against Venezuela and his expansionist foreign policy should worry Europe. In the long run, the question of Greenland could become what drives Europe and the United States apart.
Donald Trump wants to build a triumphal arch in Washington, DC. The idea is that it will be ready in time for the 250th anniversary of the United States this summer.
Arc de Triomphe began to be built in the days of the Roman Empire to celebrate military successes and conquests. In Rome there is the Arch of Titus built after the conquest of Jerusalem and in Paris Napoleon had one built after the victory in the Battle of Austerliz.
Whether Trump’s triumphal arch is for the same kind of celebration is unclear, but his claim to Greenland and desire for expansion inspire shivers on the other side of the Atlantic and in Greenland.
”Stop with the threats”
The latest move to make Greenland American has caused Denmark’s Mette Frederiksen to react sharply.
”I want to call on the United States to end the threats against a historically close ally”, she writes on social media.
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen writes in a comment that ”is enough” and calls the outbursts disrespectful. The Greenlanders themselves have grown tired of the American interest and have said several times that they are not for sale.
But that doesn’t seem to bite the Trump administration.
Already have access to Greenland
According to Danish military, the US already has access to Greenland, and Denmark has also been a loyal ally that faithfully stood up.
The Greenlanders themselves have said that they are happy to cooperate with the United States but want to be treated with respect. However, there is concern that something may happen.
Last year, the Pentagon decided that Greenland should be under the North American command structure – not the European one. In Nuuk, the American consulate is currently expanding and there is concern about influence operations ahead of a possible referendum on independence.
Denmark has stepped up its military presence in Greenland and the intelligence service points out the US as a threat.
”Make America great again”
The triangle drama USA-Greenland-Denmark puts the transatlantic link at its peak.
Because what do NATO and the EU do if the US actually does the thing and annexes Greenland? Not much means some, the US-Europe divorce would then be definitive.
By taking Greenland, the United States would gain sole access to important sea routes and the rare earth elements found under the ice sheet. One would control the North Atlantic, without European interference.
But above all, an American flag in Greenland would have made the United States geographically larger, a new conquest, perhaps just in time for the 250th anniversary and that triumphal arch.
