LOS ANGELES.–Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen clapped back at the U.S. over the flap of 78-year-old President Donald Trump saying he wants to take over Greenland, home to only 56,000 inhabitants mostly Arctic Inuit natives. Demarks claims a longer history dating back over 1,000 years owning the world’s largest island in the Arctic Circle, home to vast mineral wealth but largely untapped because Denmark hasn’t invested the cash needed to develop the territory. “Many accusations and many allegations have been made. And of course we are open to criticism,” Rasmussen said. “But let me be completely honest: We do not appreciate the tone in which it is being delivered,” Rasmussen said, referring to Trump saying he would like to take over and develop Greenland to a prosperous country. Recent polls show that Greenlanders prefer their independence by 85%.
Rasmussen knows the same thing happened to Alaska in 1867 when President Andrew Johnson bought the Arctic territory from Russia for $7.2 million. Native American Alaskan natives have been treated well by the U.S., respecting their traditions at the same time developing a thriving economy paying Alaskans well for various jobs. Trump likes the idea of the U.S. taking over Greenland for U.S. national security and the potential mineral wealth from future mining activities. Rasmussen knows that whatever Demark has put into Greenland, it’s been sadly missing the kind of investment needed to induce Danish citizens to immigrate to the largely Arctic wilderness. Vice President J.D. Vance visited the U.S. Space Base Pituffki in Greenland’s most remote northern territory. Trump has said that Greenland is not currently protected from a Russian or Chinese take over.
Vance slammed Denmark for not investing in the Arctic’s largest island, leaving it unprotected from a Chinese or Russian invasion. “This is not how you speak to your close allies,” Rasmussen said. “And I still consider Denmark and the United States to be close allies. Why Rasmussen reject the idea of selling Greenland to the U.S. is anyone’s guess. It’s clear that Copenhagen has no intention of investing the kind to money needed to develop the island or encourage immigration from Denmark. Rasmussen didn’t disagree that Greenland needed more security, expressed openness to proposals to beef up security or begin development Greenland’s vast natural resources. “We—Denmark and Greenland—are very much open to discussing this with you, with an open mind,” Rasmussen said, admitting that Washington and Copenhagen, both members of NATO, shared much in common.
However disparaging the U.S. press to Trump’s overtures toward Greenland, Rasmussen admits that there’s much room for cooperation with the U.S. on security and economic development. If you listen to the fake news, it’s all about reporting polls that show Greenland natives opposing a U.S. takeover. If the takeover is presented differently, as a cooperative venture to improve business opportunities on the island, then Denmark is all for it. Denmark has no resources of its own to pour into Greenland. Once Rasmussen said Denmark is open to any joint venturing the U.S. has with Greenland, it’s a whole different story. Greenland natives remain some of the poorest in the Arctic Circle. As long as Denmark retains ownership, Rasmussen is open to more security and business development in Greenland. Adding another military base would be a good start.
Russian President Vladimir Putin remarked about Trump’s interest in Greenland, saying that the Arctic Circle was subject to very specific treaties when it came to sovereignty. Russia doesn’t like the U.S. gaining a major foothold in Greenland, fearing it would compromise Russian plans for more Arctic development. “The fact that we have all been investing in the peace dividend,” Rasmussen said. “We all acted on the assumption that the Arctic was an should be a low tension area. But that time is over,” meaning that more security is necessary to preserve Greenland from a potential takeover by China or Russia. Trump genuinely thinks that Greenland would be better off under U.S. ownership. Whether or not Denmark ever agrees to that, Trump is open to paying a fair market price for the Arctic’s biggest island. If that doesn’t happen another military base would be a good start.
U.S. fake news wants to accuse Trump of insulting allies like Denmark for saying he would like to take over the largely undeveloped wilderness. If energy firms can tap into Greenland’s mineral wealth, it could make a very rich country, much the same way the Russia tapped into its vast oil reserves. Trump recognizes that Greenland has unlimited energy and rare mineral wealth, prompting Denmark to remain open to a new military base or energy exploration. Trump’s overtures don’t really offend Denmark at all but reminds them with Greenland Denmark possesses a valuable asset. Trump’s point to Denmark is why not sell the island and make Demark a rich nation? But if Denmark is more comfortable with the U.S. building a new military base or starting energy and mineral exploration that would be an OK outcome. Only the corrupt press finds fault with that.
About the Author
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.
