Donald Trump has expressed his desire to buy Greenland. Denmark, responding to this proposal, decided to increase spending on territorial defense. The US president stressed that control of the island, an autonomous Danish territory, is of vital importance to Washington. Meanwhile, while Trump dreams of acquiring Greenland, which serves as a bridge between America and Europe, Copenhagen has launched a plan that will involve spending 1.5 billion dollars, an unprecedented investment for the country.
The Danish project
Denmark, which holds at least some control over Greenland's foreign policy, has planned to purchase 2 ships to monitor the waters surrounding the island, two ultra-modern long-range drones and, as a finishing touch, two towed sled teams by dogs.
This allocation also includes the funds needed to upgrade the Arctic Command staff in the capital Nuuk and to carry out structural work at one of the island's three main airports, which will be able to accommodate F-35 jets. “For many years we have not invested in the Arctic, now we are planning a more significant presence.” Copenhagen's initiative comes after the clear message sent by Mute Egede, Prime Minister of Greenland, to Trump: “We are not for sale”.
Analysts point out that the Danish project was not worked out in a few hours: Poulsen's announcement is the result of a process that started a long time ago. Denmark considers it essential to increase its presence in an area where the influence of China and Russia is increasingly evident.
Trump's motivations behind interest in Greenland
Trump considers Greenland a key piece in his geopolitical strategy. The island hosts an American military base, the Pituffik Space Base, a structure built during the Cold War years and today vital for the missile defense system and space operations. The new president of the United States is also interested in the natural resources present underground: Greenland is rich in oil, neodymium and dysprosium, highly valuable minerals disputed by China and Russia.
What is the cost of Greenland?
The island's strategic value to Washington has been known for decades. Already after the Second World War, President Harry Truman tried in vain to purchase it for 100 million dollars. How much would Greenland cost today in a hypothetical negotiation? According to the Washington Post, in 2019, $1.7 trillion would have been needed. Today, that figure may be different.
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