Denmark has announced plans to significantly enhance Greenland’s defence capabilities following renewed remarks by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump expressing interest in purchasing the arctic territory.
Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen revealed the initiative to Danish media outlet Jyllands-Posten, stating Copenhagen intends to invest a “double-digit billion amount in Danish krone” to bolster defences. This could equate to expenditures ranging between €1.34 billion and €13.27 billion.
Trump reignited the controversy on Sunday via his Truth Social platform, declaring that U.S. ownership of Greenland was critical for “purposes of national security and freedom throughout the world.” The remarks follow similar statements about acquiring Canada and reclaiming the Panama Canal.
In response, Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede emphasized, “Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland.” He reaffirmed, “We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must not lose our long struggle for freedom.”
Though governed locally, Greenland remains linked to Denmark as part of the Danish crown. Formerly a Danish colony until 1953, Greenland transitioned into a fully integrated district of Denmark, granting its residents Danish citizenship.
