Denmark boosts Greenland defense spending after Trump's call for US ownership of the key Arctic territory
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- Denmark plans to invest at least $1.5 billion to enhance Greenland's defense capabilities.
- The announcement follows Trump's renewed interest in purchasing Greenland for strategic reasons.
- Greenland holds strategic value due to its location in the Arctic and its resources.
Denmark's government announced a defense package for Greenland worth at least $1.5 billion after President-elect Donald Trump reiterated that he wants the US to purchase the Arctic territory.
Danish defense minister Troels Lund Poulsen told a local media outlet that Denmark would invest "a double-digit billion amount" in Krones to buy two new inspection ships, two new long-range drones, and extra sled patrols in Greenland.
"It is ironic that it coincides with the announcement from the United States," Poulsen said, suggesting that the two events are not necessarily related and that the investment was previously planned.
On Monday, Trump wrote on Truth Social that "for purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity." A 2019 report by The Wall Street Journal said that Trump had expressed interest in buying Greenland multiple times.
Trump's Monday comments followed a separate post suggesting the US could take over the Panama Canal. Trump made the comments in a post announcing PayPal cofounder Ken Howery as his pick for US ambassador to Denmark.
Greenland, an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark, is between the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans and has a population of roughly 56,000. The island is home to the US military's northernmost base, and has strategic value because of natural resources and proximity to the Artic, where Russia and China are already increasing activity. Denmark is a US ally and NATO member.
Greenland's prime minister, Mute Egede, responded to Trump's post on Monday by saying, "We are not for sale and will never be for sale." The Danish prime minister's office echoed Egede's statement, saying Greenland was not for sale, but open for cooperation.