The Prime Minister of Greenland has told residents to prepare for a military invasion amid Donald Trump’s mounting takeover threats.
Jens-Frederik Nielsen told a press conference today that it was ‘not likely there will be a military conflict, but it can’t be ruled out.’
‘That’s why we must be ready for all possibilities, but let’s emphasise this: Greenland is part of NATO and, if there were to be an escalation, it would also have consequences for the rest of the world,’ he added.
It comes after earlier this week, Denmark sent soldiers to Kangerlussuaq, where Greenland’s main international airport is.
Trump has threatened to hit the UK and other European nations with 10% tariffs from February 1 unless they agree to his purchase of Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory.
When asked by NBC News if he would use force to take the island, the US President replied over the phone: ‘No comment.’
Meanwhile, Trump suggested the decision not to award him the Nobel Peace Prize, given each year in Norway’s capital, Oslo, had influenced his attitude to Greenland.
In a letter to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, Mr Trump also said he no longer feels ‘an obligation to think purely of peace’.
He initially offered to buy the nation in 2019, but his campaign has escalated dramatically in recent months.
Overnight, Trump, who is due to appear at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland tomorrow, posted a series of images on his Truth Social account, with images showing Greenland as US territory.
During a press conference today, Trump also questioned whether Nato would come to the ‘rescue’ of the United States.
‘I did more for Nato than any other person alive or dead. Nobody’s done that for Nato, and I think for the most part, they’ll tell you that,’ he said.
‘The big fear I have with Nato is we spend tremendous amounts of money with Nato, and I know we’ll come to their rescue, but I just really do question whether or not they’ll come to ours. Just asking. Just saying, right?’
The US president claimed Russia and China pose a national security risk from the Arctic and has claimed Denmark is incapable of protecting Greenland.
Nielsen added that his government has had good meetings with NATO and its allies and that all Western countries should be united by ‘respect for national, territorial integrity (and) respect for international law.’
Earlier today, the iPaper revealed the RAF and Navy are poised to join a NATO task force in Greenland.
Surveillance units could put British boots on the ground in Greenland in a bid to show Trump that Europe is protecting Greenland from Russian and Chinese interests.
Why does Trump want Greenland?
Greenland sits in the Arctic Circle, where world powers, including China and Russia, have been jostling for military control.
And for good reason: Controlling Greenland would give a nation an outpost in a vital naval corridor connecting the Atlantic Ocean and the Arctic.
As climate change melts the icecaps, the once nearly impossible-to-navigate ocean is becoming more spacious, opening up new shipping routes.
Scores of rare resources are locked inside Greenland, with 31 out of 34 materials that Europe sees as ‘critical’ being found there.
On top of cobalt, nickel, copper and titanium-vanadium, the island is also rich in gold, platinum and diamonds.
Many metals are used to make batteries, electric vehicles and other high-tech items. It may also have pools of oil and gas.
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