US President Donald Trump has once again thrust the spotlight on Greenland as he has pointed out the crucial place the massive Arctic island has for the security of the United States as a whole. It is significant that the former US President has brought up the issue as the Arctic is no longer a distant frozen frontier but is becoming a hotbed of international competition as the effects of climate change alter the landscape of geopolitics itself.
Donald Trump wants US Control Over Arctic Shipping Routes
Donald Trump wants the U.S. to own Arctic shipping routes with Greenland in an especially strategic place to oversee a number of new passages opening due to melting ice. In fact, these routes could cut travel between Asia, Europe and North America by up to 30% with an attractive strategic and economic advantage. He has said this will be a very strong counter to rivals such as Russia and China, which may seek to dominate Arctic trade, adding military oversight to the bases like Pituffik. Critics have countered that it should be preserved as a territory run by international cooperation, not single nation control.
Greenland & Denmark Reject US Control
Greenland as well as Denmark strongly disagreed with Trump’s suggestion about U.S. control of Greenland. Both countries made it clear that Greenland is not up for sale on the issue of autonomy. They have not abandoned their partnership with the U.S. regarding defense.
What is the Strategic Importance of Greenland
The importance of Greenland derives from location, not ideology. Wedged between North America and Europe, it offers missile defense early warning advantages and is home to the U.S.-operated Pituffik Space Base. NATO estimates that commercial traffic through the Arctic could surge as much as 40 percent by 2050, as its ice continues to melt. Whoever controls these routes could impact world trade and military movements, placing Greenland at a critical vantage point, not a remote territory.
Trump’s Case for NATO & Greenland
Trump argues American leadership is essential to NATO’s military strength. During his presidency, the U.S. military budget increased to over $730 billion a year, which represented close to 70% of NATO’s total military spending. To Trump, control of Greenland would help enhance NATO’s deterrence power. His critics believe NATO has always promoted solidarity through collaboration and joint security or military planning, rather than through territorial acquisition.
Denmark, Greenland & Sovereignty
Greenland continues to be an autonomous nation with Danish sovereignty intact and both governments have rejected on numerous occasions the notion of handing it over to anyone else. Research has repeatedly shown that Greenland wants to govern itself and not be owned by outsiders. This view has also been supported by EU leaders who said that having stable borders in the Arctic region while having joint or common defense is vital.
Rising Geopolitical Tensions in the Arctic
Trump’s assertion is coming at a time when the activities of Russia and China have intensified. Russia has established more than 50 military bases in the Arctic regions and China has allocated billions of dollars for research in the Arctic and has named itself a near-Arctic state. This has brought fear to the White House and Brussels. By proclaiming Greenland to be unacceptable in any other than American control, Trump is implying the Arctic has become part of the frontline.
