In a meeting with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz cleared that “borders must not be moved by force” to demonstrate European solidarity. Donald Trump presses for control of Greenland. Before Tuesday’s January 28, 2025 meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Brussels, the Danish prime minister met Scholz in Berlin.
Over the weekend, Trump reportedly threatened Denmark with tariffs over Danish territory and stated,
“I think we’re going to have Greenland.”
he president of the United States has not ruled out the use of military action to seize the Arctic island. It is still under the jurisdiction of the Kingdom of Denmark, which still controls its defense and foreign policy. Although neither Scholz nor Frederiksen brought up Trump or Greenland during a joint news conference in Berlin, it was evident that the topic was on their minds.
What is the talk between EU leaders and Scholz?
After discussing how “inviolability of borders is a fundamental principle of international law” and Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Scholz stated, “The principle must apply to everyone.” A couple of days ago, he reiterated that idea. It is forbidden to move borders by force.
Europe needs a stronger and more resolute standing increasingly in its own right, capable of defending and promoting it and its interests. Referring to the more uncertain reality that Europe is presently confronting and the necessity for increased cooperation.
Next Monday, February 3, 2025, EU leaders will convene their first defense-focused summit to talk about financing and new military capabilities. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, defense has become a higher priority, but the matter has become more pressing since Trump’s return. Trump has previously stated that he would encourage Russia to attack NATO nations that are thought to be underpaying.
The majority of EU leaders have so far avoided immediately responding to Trump’s inflammatory remarks regarding Greenland, which sources claimed was a calculated tactic. The decision was made not to go for a tit-for-tat because it was not seen as helpful. It is probably more useful to let Denmark continue to represent itself rather than escalate. The Danish government has made many statements in the past 24 hours to please Greenlanders and the US, including ones on defense and combating racism against Greenlandic people in Denmark.
Tussle between Greenland and the United States
Denmark has been singled out by the US and publicly threatened with tariffs and maybe military intervention over Greenland, making January difficult for Frederiksen. She displayed Nordic solidarity on Sunday night by posting a picture of a cozy dinner. This dinner was between the Finnish president, the Swedish prime minister, and the Norwegian prime minister. It was amid just rumors of her being allegedly “horrendous.” A 45-minute call with the US president. Trump has made fun of Denmark’s defense plans for Greenland in the past. Copenhagen will want to show that it can safeguard Greenland; therefore, it will increase investment.
Greenland is situated between the US and Europe. It is now a battleground due to abundant mineral resources and rare earth elements, which are necessary elements for green technology.
China and Russia have been strengthening their military ties throughout the Arctic, and as ice melts due to the climate catastrophe, new shipping routes are opening up. Germany doesn’t want to open the borders and Trump is continuously disturbed by his side for this land.
Denmark boosts Arctic surveillance with $2B deal for Greenland
A deal for 14.6 billion kroner (£1.64 billion, $2.04 billion) with Greenland and the Faroe Islands to “improve surveillance and sovereignty assertion in the regions” is one of the proposals Denmark unveiled. Improved “satellite capacity” to monitor the Arctic and northern Atlantic is one of the goals, along with three new Arctic ships that can transport drones and helicopters and two long-range drones that can take detailed pictures over great distances.
According to the Danish government, the deal will also help more Greenland youth acquire the skills “to take responsibility for preparedness and asserting sovereignty.” It is anticipated that later in 2025, the parties will reach another agreement to bolster defense and deterrence.
Additionally, a proposal to address prejudice against Greenlanders has been launched by the Danish government. According to the project, which has been in the works for years, an extra 35 million DKK will be distributed over four years.
