Denmark investing in Greenland’s defense as Trump eyes territory

The Danish Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday a massive new defense expenditure centred on Greenland, the Arctic territory rich in minerals and natural resources wich belongs to Denmark and which US President-elect Donald Trump covets.

Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said the defense package would amount to a “double-digit billion amount.” Ten billion Danish kroner is the equivalent of nearly $1.5 billion.

“We have not invested enough in the Arctic for many years, now we are planning a stronger presence,” he said.

Trump had proposed buying Greenland during his first term in office. The far-fetched offer led to a diplomatic dust-up between Washington and Copenhagen, which called the plan “absurd.”

But, years later, Greenland remains on Trump’s mind. On Monday, he wrote on his Truth Social platform: “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.”

“We are not for sale and will never be for sale,” Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede responded in a statement. “Greenland is ours. We must not lose our years-long fight for freedom.”

The Danish government said only that it supports Egede’s position.

The US, Russia and China are increasingly competing for influence and control of the strategically located and resource-rich melting polar regions.