Daily London
Why does the US want Greenland?
It links the Arctic to the Atlantic Ocean, making it a vital shipping route when considering Greenland’s natural resources.
They are also critical to the world economy, used in the manufacture of electric cars, wind turbines and military equipment.
Will the US leave NATO over the Greenland dispute?
Trump has threatened to pull out of the NATO alliance before, including at the end of 2024, when he cited low defence spending numbers of several allies.
“You don’t know what I’m going to do,” he said in response to questions of whether he would leave NATO.
“I wouldn’t be telling you what I’m willing to do – certainly I’m not going to give up options – but it’s very important.”
Laws drafted in before Trump’s second term prohibit him from removing the US from the alliance without approval of a two-thirds Senate super-majority or an act of Congress.
But you also aren’t supposed to capture a sitting head of state of another country in the dead of night, and Trump seemed comfortable breaking those rules in Venezuela.
Can NATO survive without the US?
Ask many key European leaders and officials, and they will tell you the US is the bedrock of the NATO alliance.
A key issue is Article 5 in the treaty, which says an attack on one is an attack on all.
With Greenland part of Denmark, and Denmark being a NATO member, this creates a clear problem.
“If the United States chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops,” Frederiksen told Danish broadcaster TV2 last week.
“That is, including our NATO and thus the security that has been provided since the end of the Second World War.”
Trump also seems to think NATO wouldn’t last should the US pull out, judging by his comments yesterday.
“I’m the one that saved NATO,” he said on Air Force One.
How have Russia and China reacted to the Greenland dispute?
“NATO should be leading the way for us to get it [Greenland]. IF WE DON’T, RUSSIA OR CHINA WILL, AND THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!” he wrote on Truth Social this week.
China has an Arctic policy called the Polar Silk Road, launched in 2018, but a spokesperson for the government insisted their goals weren’t military.
“China’s activities in the Arctic are aimed at promoting peace, stability, and sustainable development in the region and are in accordance with international law,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said earlier this week.
On the Russian side, top officials have made cryptic remarks regarding their views on Greenland.
“Trump needs to hurry. According to unverified information, in a few days there could be a sudden referendum, at which the entire 55,000-strong Greenland could vote to join Russia,” former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said earlier this week, according to Interfax.
