Denmark is not the only one facing Trump’s ranking. He has targeted Canada, Panama and, most recently, Colombia to get what he wants. Chrystia Freeland, a candidate for Canadian prime minister, has called for a summit of leaders from Mexico, Denmark, Panama and the European Union to coordinate a response.
Denmark has announced a nearly 2 billion euro plan to strengthen security in the Arctic and North Atlantic, two strategic areas due to their proximity to the United States and Russia. The decision comes in response to threats from Donald Trump, who has expressed his intention to buy Greenland.
“The threat level in the Arctic and the North Atlantic has increased. Therefore, we must significantly strengthen the defense presence in these Regions,” said Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, announcing the plan. And the Greenland issue also ends up on the NATO table: yesterday, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stopped first in Berlin, then in Paris to take stock with Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Emmanuel Macron. Finally, in Brussels, where she was received by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
2 BILLION EURO PLAN
The program, designed with the support of the main Danish political parties and in close cooperation with Greenland and the Faroe Islands, includes investments in new Arctic ships, long-range drones and satellite surveillance systems. The three new boats will gradually replace the aging Thetis-class ships, ensuring better control of the territory. However, this is not Denmark’s first initiative in the Arctic: a similar agreement was signed in 2021, which then remained partially unimplemented.
“Previous governments have not done enough,” Poulsen admitted, promising a further defense agreement to be finalized in 2025. The Greenlandic government also welcomed the plan. Greenland’s Foreign Minister, Vivian Motzfeldt, underlined the importance of the new measures for the island’s security. Among the upcoming priorities, a review of the Danish fleet is planned, with further details expected in the coming months.
EU MOBILIZATION
The Greenland issue has attracted international attention, with the European Union expressing its full support for Denmark and its autonomous territory. Kaja Kallas, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Policy, reiterated support for Denmark and Greenland, but stressed the importance of not speculating. “Of course we support Denmark, which is one of our member states, and its autonomous Region, Greenland, but we should not speculate.” And yesterday came a new warning from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz who said: “Borders cannot be moved by force.” The threat of possible military action is on the EU’s agenda. When asked about Greenland, Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said: “We are ready to defend our member state Denmark.”
TRUMP’S “FIXATION”
Meanwhile, Trump has underlined his obsession with Greenland, which dates back to his first term. He insists he wants to take over the world’s largest island for security reasons and has refused to rule out the use of force. But mineral resources are also seen as a consideration. The US president has mocked Copenhagen’s ability to defend the island, which has extensive home rule but no army of its own and is part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
The US has had an air base in Greenland since the end of World War II and has the right to increase its military presence there as long as it consults and informs Denmark and Greenland.
Denmark is not alone in facing Trump’s ranking. He has targeted Canada, Panama and, most recently, Colombia to get what he wants. Chrystia Freeland, a candidate for Canadian prime minister, has called for a summit of leaders from Mexico, Denmark, Panama and the European Union to coordinate a response.
