Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers that the administration’s recent threats against Greenland do not indicate an imminent invasion and that the goal is to purchase the island from Denmark, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the discussions. Rubio’s statements came during a briefing by senior administration officials to congressional leadership on the operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and the administration’s plans for the country’s future. According to sources, Rubio did most of the talking.
Cristina Ferulli’s point
The main European leaders, from Macron to Meloni, from Merz to Starmer, take a stand and, after the timid reaction of the European Union, reject the aims of the United States on Greenland fearing that, after Venezuela, Donald Trump will also decide to use force to take over the Arctic country. “The Kingdom of Denmark, including Greenland, is part of NATO. Security in the Arctic must therefore be guaranteed collectively, in collaboration with NATO allies, including the United States”, argue the European leaders, responding precisely to the point supported by the tycoon that the USA “needs” the entire island for reasons of national security.
But, while Denmark tries to give guarantees to the USA by deciding to strengthen the military presence in Greenland, the United States is working, according to the Economist, on an association agreement with Greenland that excludes Denmark.
A political and military agreement to allow Washington to deploy troops more freely and expand its military infrastructure. The Arctic island already hosts an American military base and, under the Copenhagen Treaty, there are no explicit limits on the number of troops the United States can deploy as long as any significant increases are first agreed. But it doesn’t seem to be enough for the tycoon. And in the agreement with Nuuk, on which the US administration is said to be working, a relationship similar to that of Washington with some Pacific islands, such as the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau, would be established between the US and Greenland, under which the US armed forces can operate freely and a duty-free trade partnership is envisaged.
The agreement with Nuuk suggests that Trump has not yet abandoned the diplomatic solution. And precisely to strengthen the path of dialogue, today Greenland and Denmark asked Marco Rubio for a meeting. But one way or another he has no intention of giving up his project which dates back to his first term. And the words of the very powerful White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller give the idea that the use of force to control the Arctic island is not excluded. The Trump administration’s formal position is that “Greenland should be part of the United States,” Miller said after his wife posted a photo of the star-spangled Arctic country. “No one will fight the US militarily for the future of Greenland,” Miller said on CNN, betting that Washington could get away with grabbing territory in the Arctic, given that the rest of NATO needs the US more than the States need them.
The main European leaders, while trying not to attack head-on the most powerful ally on many fronts, Ukraine first and foremost, have sided with Denmark on a strong note. “Greenland belongs to its people. It is up to Denmark and Greenland, and only them, to decide” on their future, write Macron, Merz, Meloni, Starmer together with the Polish Tusk, the Spanish Sánchez and the Danish Frederiksen.
“The security of the Arctic remains a fundamental priority for Europe. NATO has made it clear that the Arctic region is a priority and European allies are intensifying their efforts”, say the Europeans hoping to reassure the tycoon on the security front. Although the undeclared clutches of the tycoon on Greenland are on the island’s mineral wealth, which would reduce Washington’s dependence on Chinese exports and on Arctic routes. Donald Trump is a reliable ally, “not a threat to Europe”, assures Downing Street, downsizing the European stance and extending a helping hand to his US ally.
Video Defense, rare earths and Arctic routes: why Greenland is in Trump’s sights
Reproduction reserved © Copyright ANSA