The administration of Donald Trump has launched its most resounding call so far to take control of Greenland, the Arctic Island that the US president considers essential for the national security of his country and the world. On the one hand, the vice president, JD Vance, has headed a delegation from his country on Friday to visit Pituffik, the military base that the US has in the northwest, and: “They have not done a good job.” On the other hand, in Washington, the US president has insisted on the need to control the Arctic Island “for world peace.” “I think Denmark and the European Union understand it, but if they don’t understand we will have to explain it,” Trump said.
The objective of Vance’s controversial visit, which has appeared at the American base, surrounded by military, was to send a message to the world and the residents of the island, who want to convince the need for Washington to be annexed.
“Let’s be honest … This base and the area that surrounds it is less safe than 30 or 40 years ago, because some of our allies have been left behind while China and Russia have been taking more and more interest in Greenland, in this base and in the activities of the brave American soldiers outstand destined for the necessary resources to maintain this base, our troops and the Greenlandic people sure against very aggressive incursions of Russia, China and other nations. ” “Our message to Denmark is very simple: they have not done a good job in regards to the Greenlanders. They have invested less than necessary in them and in the security architecture of this beautiful, incredible, terrestrial mass.”
The United States, has indicated, will increase its investment in equipment to protect the island, including breaks breaks and other ships. The vice president has declared, however, that Washington does not consider to build other military bases or believe that it will be necessary to take by force on the Arctic Island, whose strategic value has multiplied in recent decades as climate change has melted the ice and open the waters of the north pole to navigation.
Vance has also admitted that they will have to be the Greenlanders, who decide if they want to become territory of the North American country. But he has expressed his conviction, shared with Trump, that this population – 57,000 residents – will end up accepting Washington control. His government believes that these citizens will bet on the independence of Denmark: “Then we will talk,” he said.
Going directly to the Greenlandic population, number two of the US government has stated: “I think they would be much better … under the United States security umbrella than what they have been under the security umbrella of Denmark.”
Vance’s visit to the Pituffik base comes when the US must be controlled by the largest island in the world, “be it.” “We have to have Greenland. It is not a matter of whether we believe we can handle ourselves without it. We cannot,” the president insisted on press statements in the oval office. In the Arctic Waters “there are many Russian ships, Chinese. We must not depend on Denmark or anyone” to monitor the security of the largest island in the world, in a key geostrategic situation, he added.
“Greenland is very important for security not only of the United States, but of the whole world. Before it was not so much, but the modern armament has made it, also the opening of the maritime tract” in the Arctic.
The number two of the US administration has traveled to the front of a delegation that included his wife, Usha Vance; National Security Minister Mike Waltz, and the Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright. Initially, in which he was going to have attended the National Dog -lying race, and participated in activities with Greenlands residents.
The original plan, which provided for a three -day stay of Usha Vance and Mike Waltz, was left aside before both in Greenland and in Denmark, the country that has the sovereignty of the autonomous territory. Nuuk, the Greenlands capital, and Copenhagen made it clear that the US delegation had not been invited to visit the island. Now the trip, which Vance announced on Tuesday that he joined, has last a few hours – the vice president and his wife have already left – and has been limited to the space base. The vice president and his wife have not come to interact with the Greenlandic population.
The Pituffik space base, in the northwest of the Arctic territory, is essential for the United States missile defense systems. An agreement signed with Copenhagen in 1951 allows government representatives in Washington to visit it when they wish, with the only condition of notifying the trip.
The Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, lamented on Tuesday of the “unacceptable pressure” that represented the presence of the high US positions, to which he had not invited either officially or privately.
On Monday, Trump declared that the visit of the delegation was “a sign of friendship, not a provocation.” “We are dealing with many people from Greenland who want measures to be protected and careful properly,” he added.
Surveys point out that almost all of the Greenlanders oppose an American annexation. The surveys in the United States also reveal the rejection of voters in this country: according to a survey published by the Fox News conservative television network, 70% of citizens are contrary to taking control of the Arctic Island.
