Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said threat from China was not apparent following meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday (Jan. 13).
“It is not a true narrative that we have, you know, Chinese warships all around the place.”
U.S. President Donald Trump said Greenland is powerless to defend against Russia and China.
“Greenland is very important for the national security, including of Denmark. And the problem is, there’s not a thing that Denmark can do about it, if Russia or China wants to occupy Greenland. But there’s everything we can do,” Trump said.
U.S. lawmaker Scott Perry echoed Trump’s concern.
“Unfortunately, the tiny country of Denmark, a fraction of the size of the land mass of Greenland, cannot protect Greenland from China or Russia,” he said. “And unfortunately, that’s going to fall to the United States of America.”
Retired U.S. Navy Seal Mike Sarraille said that although they are not present, the threat from China and Russia is growing.
“If we don’t act now, China will become an increasing player in that space,” he said. “Russia has built up their Arctic fleet well beyond many capabilities.”
Analysts have said Trump’s plan of acquiring the island would fend off threats to adversaries like Russia or the Chinese Communist Party.
Greenland is a strategic part of U.S. security defenses against Russian and Chinese nuclear missile threats.
Sarraille said that Greenland is an “ideal location for early warning and sensor and monitoring that detect and track ballistic missiles.”
Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark and governs its own domestic affairs. Denmark is responsible for Greenland’s defence, military and foreign affairs.
Several European countries opposing President Trump’s proposal to acquire Greenland have sent troops to Greenland, only about 30 service members in total.
Trump has floated the use of tariffs to push the acquisition forward.
“Well, I may put a tariff on countries if they don’t go along with Greenland, because we need Greenland for national security.”
A U.S. takeover of Greenland may not be Trump’s ultimate goal.
Sarraille said “But he’s forcing NATO to, you know, focus on the strategic importance of Greenland, which will most likely result in a partnership with Denmark in the NATO countries.”
