A former head of NATO has blasted Donald Trump’s Greenland plans, describing some of his comments as “shameless”. The US President hasn’t ruled out using military force to take control of the strategic Arctic island, with Anders Fogh Rasmussen saying he is “concerned”.
Fogh Rasmussen, who was Danish PM between 2001 and 2009, told POLITICO: “I find it shameless that an American president can threaten an ally. Denmark is one of the closest and most reliable allies of the United States.” Greenland, the world’s biggest island, is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark.
The Trump administration has made clear that it wishes to take control of Greenland, citing the island as necessary for national security.
Greenland is rich in natural resources and offers a number of strategic advantages, especially as shipping through the Arctic region becomes easier due to warming temperatures.
Mr Rasmussen said Greenland “is part of Denmark and Greenlanders do not want to become Americans”.
US Vice President JD Vance criticised Denmark during a visit to an American base on the island, claiming Copenhagen has “not done a good job by the people of Greenland”.
Mr Rasmussen said that while the US has the right to set up bases in Greenland under a 1951 agreement, Washington has been reducing its military footprint on the island.
He said: “The fact is that Greenland is part of NATO.
“If the United States is dissatisfied with the defence of Greenland … we would appreciate a strengthened defence cooperation with the United States.”
American officials are reportedly considering proposing a so-called Compact of Free Association agreement with Greenland, which could see the US provide key services, military protection and trade benefits.
The Reuters news agency reports that such a move would bring Greenland into Washington’s sphere of influence.
Some 57,000 people live on the island, which is part of the Danish Kingdom.
Greenland’s political parties have been leading towards eventual independence from Copenhagen but in March formed a new coalition government amid US ambitions over the territory.
Polls show the vast majority of Greenlanders do not want to become part of the US.
