1-6-26
You know what: I think Trump needs to shut the hell up about Greenland! All this saber rattling he’s doing about wanting Greenland for the United States is outrageous, dangerous, and wrong. It alienates our allies and frankly helps our adversaries. Don’t believe me? Then read further, and I’ll explain.
Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory under the sovereignty of Denmark, a nation that is an ally of the United States and a fellow member of NATO. While the territory is semi-autonomous, Denmark is still in charge of its defense and national security. As an ally to the United States and a member of NATO, Denmark already has close ties with the United States in terms of security and defense. On top of that, United States has had a direct military presence in Greenland for years in the form of Pituffik Space Base (formerly known as Thule Air Base). So with all due respect, this notion that the United States suddenly needs Greenland for national security is absolutely preposterous. We’ve had excellent relations with Denmark and NATO for years.
Something else to consider is the Greenlanders themselves. The territory has a population of over 56,000 people, and while a majority of them would theoretically like to have independence from Denmark someday in the future, many seem to realize that right now, economically and strategically, their ties with Denmark are too great for such a thing to happen anytime soon. A significant number oppose independence if it means their quality of life would decrease. A considerable portion of Greenland’s public revenue (a third of it in 2024) comes from Denmark’s government. So in all likelihood, the quality of life for many Greenlanders would fall significantly with independence anytime soon. They would likely have a very difficult time paying for the free education and free health care they enjoy now. And since Denmark’s responsible for Greenland’s national defense and is part of NATO, that gives Greenland a significant amount of security. And something else to consider is that the vast majority of Greenland’s population are quite clear about the fact that they have no interest in being part of the United States. No interest whatsoever. They don’t want it.
Since Trump has been increasing his comments and threats about wanting Greenland for the United States, Denmark’s government as well as Greenland’s government have been extremely clear that they are against this. And frankly, I think they’re very disturbed and angry at the way Trump seems to be threatening them. This is not the way allies are supposed to work together. And as I already said, in terms of defense and security, the United States already has very close ties with Denmark (and Greenland).
So I think it’s quite clear that the idea of the United States somehow forcing a takeover of Greenland would be an absolute disaster. For one thing, if Trump sent military forces to take over the territory, Denmark would turn to NATO to invoke the fifth article, which says that an attack on one member of NATO is considered an attack on all members of NATO so that all the NATO countries are obligated to assist in that country’s defense. Since the United States is also a member of NATO, that would obviously cause serious confusion and would certainly alienate the United States from all our NATO allies. NATO could fall apart, or at least United States could be forced out of the alliance. Close allies such as Great Britain would likely become serious adversaries and possibly enemies. Other countries around the world would also be alienated, angry, and hold serious mistrust against the United States. In other words, the United States would become extremely isolated and alone in a very complex, dangerous world. And in terms of national security, the United States needs close allies, so losing those allies would frankly be catastrophic to our national security. Such a situation would also benefit adversaries such as China and Russia. They would love to see NATO split apart and the United States isolated from allies. And even if Trump was able to coerce Denmark into giving up Greenland without an actual military invasion (like if he’s using the threat of military force hoping to force a sale of Greenland), much of what I just said would still hold true. Denmark would be furious as would the rest of Europe. NATO would be seriously weakened and possibly fall apart. And every US ally around the world would have serious mistrust of the United States. In other words, forcing any kind of hostile takeover of Greenland would worsen the national security of the United States as well as of current allies around the world.
Plus, forcing a hostile takeover of another territory that is part of another country (especially one that’s a democracy) with a population that does not want such a takeover is absolutely wrong. Such behavior would be authoritarian and imperialistic. It’s not what the United States is supposed to be.
So everyone, whatever they’re political affiliations, needs to peacefully stand up and tell Donald Trump to shut the hell up about Greenland!
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