Telegraph today
Trump’s plan to make Greenlanders an offer they can’t refuse
Sounds more than a little ominous?
Really interesting article covering two things
1) Trumps complete “lie” about Russian and China having ships in Greenland water, not ONE local report from Greenland, across many sources, about spitting even ONE ship.
2) Very very interesting info around Greenland’s minerals. A good read if you have time, link below.
It raises yet again how gun-ho Trump is about getting what he wants, lying, cheating and breaking all kinds of protocol because man-child Trump chooses.
My heart goes out to Greenlanders, who appear very content with Denmark and both Greenland and Denmark have cooperated fully with USA re security since the 1950’s.
My view? Come on Europe, pool ALL your resources and stop this idiot before he ruins our entire world with his greed.
What do you think?
Just in case link doesn’t work, salient points from the article are below, warning, it’s long!
.*Trump’s plan to make Greenlanders an offer they can’t refuse
US proposals to buy the island have been met with protests and alarm by locals
Eir Nolsøe is Economics Correspondent at The Telegraph covering stories on government tax and spend, the labour market and monetary policy.
When Aka Binzer-Johnsen prepared her two daughters for school and nursery after the holidays at the start of January, she felt compelled to tell them about Donald Trump. “I asked my daughters if they could remember from last year that Trump really wants our country,” she says. “I tried to explain in a child-friendly way that this is happening again, and if they hear anything, that’s why.”
The 38-year-old mother, her husband Uju and their daughters, aged five and seven, live on the outskirts of Nuuk, the capital of Greenland.
Home to just 20,000 people, life in the quiet town with colourful wooden houses normally feels safe and far removed from the world’s troubles.
But the US president’s threats to seize Greenland have brought a crisis to Nuuk’s doorstep. “This was always like a safe little bubble,” says Binzer-Johnsen, who is a project manager for a charity. “That’s what we are used to from growing up here.”
She adds: “Everything has changed so fast. People are very scared, and emotions are heightened. I’ve felt really bad about what is going on. I’ve had sleepless nights.
“I have so many questions, wondering what we are going to do. If I want to protect my family, is this the time to act?
“I constantly feel ready to flee and leave, just for a period. But at the same time, we can’t just stop living. Everything we’ve invested in is here: our dreams and our life.”
Such considerations are now weighing on the minds of many Greenlanders, regardless of the territory’s status as a Nato member and having served as an American ally for more than 80 years.
The fate of the world’s largest island has been thrust back into the spotlight this month following Trump’s capture of Nicolás Maduro, the Venezuelan president.
Buoyed by his coup in Latin America, Trump has now set his sights on Greenland, the sparsely populated autonomous Danish territory.
“We need Greenland from a national security situation,” Mr Trump said last week, adding that he may have to choose between preserving Nato or expanding America’s influence in the western hemisphere.
“It’s so strategic. Right now, Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place.”
The threats have sent alarm bells ringing in Copenhagen and Brussels, prompting stunned European leaders to issue a joint statement saying they will “not stop defending” Greenland.
However, it should not come as a surprise.
The US president has long been fascinated by Greenland, which has been part of the Danish kingdom for hundreds of years, like the Faroe Islands.
Trump first proposed buying the island during his first term in 2019, comparing it to “a large real estate deal”.
Seven years later, he has returned to the issue, alternating between threats of military force and offers to make Greenlanders rich.
All in all, last week’s events suggest the US president may be determined to make Greenlanders an offer they can’t refuse.
However, in Nuuk, the mood is one of anger and defiance.
“He can go f--- himself,” is the verdict from a local pensioner.
So why has the world’s most powerful man decided that, come hell or high water, he must own the world’s largest island?
“The Arctic is the crossroads of the world,” says Dwayne Menezes, founder of the Polar Research and Policy Initiative in London.
“Greenland is strategically located along the shortest air and sea routes between three continents: North America, Europe and Asia.”
The country’s position means it would offer the shortest route for ballistic missiles targeting North America, and it is key to surveillance in the Arctic.
“It also is a vast resource frontier, all of which is becoming increasingly strategically important for the US, but also increasingly accessible because of climate change,” Menezes adds.
The US has cooperated with Greenland and Denmark on national security since the Second World War.
Americans operate the island’s only military base. Some 150 US soldiers staff the Pituffik Space Base on the north-west coast, down from 6,000 during the Cold War.
This is part of a defence agreement that has been in place between the US and Denmark since 1951.
“The US has had such critical infrastructure in Greenland since the Second World War, through the Cold War, and more recently, even now, it plays a very, very important role for the Space Force,” Menezes says.
Experts and locals are also sceptical of US claims that the island’s waters are full of ships from hostile states that pose a threat.
“If there are so many Chinese and Russian ships here, then how can it be that only Donald Trump has seen them?” says Frans Heilmann, the boss of fishing company Sigguk.
Heilmann adds: “All of Greenland is full of fishing trawlers. I have not heard of a single trawler that has spotted either a Russian or Chinese vessel near our coasts.
“I am not sure he [Trump] has much of a conscience. He says Greenland’s strategic position means he needs us for national security.
“But he already has that. That argument is worthless. He’s just after the minerals. He’s a trophy hunter.”
The suspicion that Trump’s interest in Greenland is its vast deposits of rare earths is widespread.
“It’s not really any more about wanting to get Greenland because of security reasons, but coming up with security reasons to get Greenland,” says Menezes.*
The island is rich in resources ranging from uranium that can be used to power nuclear plants to obscure minerals critical for modern-day electronics.*
apple.news/ADUBx4ZdcRbmK5xmG_p4znw
MaizieD
petra
Whitewavemark2
ronib
What chance that Greenland will become uninhabitable due to floods caused by melting ice?
None
Why none when 2025 was the 29th year in a row that Greenland has lost ice to the oceans around it?
Greenland has a 'ring' of high and mountainous land around its periphery. Sea level forecast to rise by 1 metre in 2100 if its ice continues to melt at current rate according to google assist.
It's not going to be swamped.
This
Saw a tv programme this week about Denmark, and the sad cases of Greenland Mothers who live there but have had babies taken away from them by the Danish authorities because they don’t like the way the parenting papers have been filled before they give birth.It said that Danish people regard Greenlanders as being ‘slow’ generally.It was a heartbreaking report.
I couldn’t make out if all Danish parents have to complete these forms for scrutiny before they gave birth or if it’s just Greenlanders who have to do it.An example of the worst State intervention there possibly could be.I can’t remember which channel it was on unfortunately, but it was worth seeing.
The Scandi countries are always held up as marvellous but I very much doubt that now.
Oreo
Saw a tv programme this week about Denmark, and the sad cases of Greenland Mothers who live there but have had babies taken away from them by the Danish authorities because they don’t like the way the parenting papers have been filled before they give birth.It said that Danish people regard Greenlanders as being ‘slow’ generally.It was a heartbreaking report.
I couldn’t make out if all Danish parents have to complete these forms for scrutiny before they gave birth or if it’s just Greenlanders who have to do it.An example of the worst State intervention there possibly could be.I can’t remember which channel it was on unfortunately, but it was worth seeing.
The Scandi countries are always held up as marvellous but I very much doubt that now.
While not wishing to defend Denmark against Greenland I could point out that the enforced contraception programme was implemented in the 1950s and '60s and that the removal of children for supposed 'welfare concerns' now only applies to children of Greenlanders who live in Denmark. Greenland has its own independent government and welfare system.
Not quite as black as being painted, even though it still smacks of the unacceptable racism claimed by Greenlanders.
www.arctictoday.com/a-view-from-greenland-about-forced-child-removal-as-greenlanders-protest-danish-welfare-services/
I don't think the issue of removal of children where there are welfare concerns will play a factor in Trump's plan to take over Greenland. Not sure that any country manages this difficult issue marvellously.
See: Afterborn: Removing Infants from Mothers Without Adequate Cause" in the US - jeered.org
Trump also has made significant cuts and restrictions to both domestic and international family planning/contraception programmes leading to millions losing care and destroying stockpiled contraception.
Here in the UK also the number of newborns taken away from mothers by family courts in the UK have increased 2.5 times in five years- but at least all still do have access to free family planning and contraception services.
MaizieD I did say that removal of babies after birth in Denmark to Greenland mothers, not that it happens in Greenland.
LemonJam nobody here and I don’t think in the US have to complete a parenting psychological profiling type exam before they can have their own baby.
Denmark are racist in this regard as the mothers are Inuit.
No, it doesn’t affect the Greenland/Trump issue but it doesn’t show Denmark in a good light.
I think it was pretty bleak at the time*maizieD * I listened to a podcast some years ago by a lady who was taken at about 5 years old to the mainland and taught(indoctrinated) Danish By the time she managed to get back to Greenland she had no memory of her customs or language etc etc She said she was never able to renew her relationship with her mother partly down to the language differences and because they just didn’t know each other, the bond was broken It was VERY sad to read
AGAA4
It would be impossible for Trump to understand people who enjoy a simple way of life not wanting more and more of everything as he does.
Completely agree, Trump wants more and more and even more power and cash, it seems it’s all he cares about, he seems to feel this impresses people. 🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
LemonJam
I don't think the issue of removal of children where there are welfare concerns will play a factor in Trump's plan to take over Greenland. Not sure that any country manages this difficult issue marvellously.
See: Afterborn: Removing Infants from Mothers Without Adequate Cause" in the US - jeered.org
Trump also has made significant cuts and restrictions to both domestic and international family planning/contraception programmes leading to millions losing care and destroying stockpiled contraception.
Here in the UK also the number of newborns taken away from mothers by family courts in the UK have increased 2.5 times in five years- but at least all still do have access to free family planning and contraception services.
Sadly many many civilised Countries, including us, are guilty of mishandling baby adoptions, for a myriad of reason and sadly it still happens.
I wasn’t talking about newborns 👶 Lemonjam Cossey it was nothing to do with that it was taking children to the mainland to indoctrinate the Inuit out of them just like Australia did with the Aborigines
I visited Greenland last year, and wherever I went and whoever I spoke to, not one person wanted the USA taking over, in any way or form. Many greenlanders want to rule their own land , rather than have any connection with Denmark, but saying that , they most definitely did not want to swap Denmark for a country ruled by someone who, from looking at the way he has spoken and behaved in the recent past, is possibly
1. Demented - kindest interpretation of someone who makes demands one day and changes his plans and wishes the next, so that no promise that does not benefit Donald Trump personally can be trusted.
2. He is an oversized two year old in a temper tantrum, believing that if he yells stamps his foot and demands often enough everyone will give in for a quiet life
3. He is an older version of a bully boy, based on Hitler. So you bully people into letting you have what you have no right to, walk into other peoples lands, without so much as by your leave, and only when as in Venezuala , they have what you want - oil, make no effort to change anything that doesnt profit you and as with Hitler claiming Poland, he now says he wants Greenland.
Well just read your history books and see where ignoring his posturing and greed will get the world into. To think that any of the above characteristics are part of someone who is meant to be a world leader is positively frightening, when there is no reasoning with such a person. The only thing he is looking for is to gain more in every way for D Trump and he couldnt care less about anyone else.
Perhaps Greenlanders would have to give a lot of the profit from mineral mining to Denmark.
Bluebelle 13.34 and 13.57- my 12.48 post was sent before each of your 2 posts...but thanks for the information you gave 😊 at 13.34.
I don’t think Trump should have anything to do with Greenland it needs leaving alone and he needs to sort his own country out
Not sure what point you are making LemonJam sorry
ronib
I don’t understand why Greenland is not more proactive in mining its natural resources. Why does it need someone like Donald Trump to come along and push for mineral exploration and extraction? Why not Greenlanders themselves?
Lack of money, lack of population? Nasty weather?
AGAA4
It would be impossible for Trump to understand people who enjoy a simple way of life not wanting more and more of everything as he does.
Not just the simple life thing - they haven't got his enormous ego and ruthlessness by the look of it. Or his perceived need to distract attention from his private life - Epstein et al anyone?
Bluebelle17.36- I’m not sure what your point was when you referred to me in your 13.57 post Bluebelle- sorry.
LemonJam
Bluebelle 13.34 and 13.57- my 12.48 post was sent before each of your 2 posts...but thanks for the information you gave 😊 at 13.34.
Not if they became independent, which would benefit both countries. Denmark Subsidises Greenland at the moment, which is a great expense for them, they would love not to have that. Greenland would love to be independent but cannot afford it at present. The time is not right yet.
BlueBelle
I wasn’t talking about newborns 👶 Lemonjam Cossey it was nothing to do with that it was taking children to the mainland to indoctrinate the Inuit out of them just like Australia did with the Aborigines
Apologies for misunderstanding
BlueBelle
I don’t think Trump should have anything to do with Greenland it needs leaving alone and he needs to sort his own country out
Not sure what point you are making LemonJam sorry
I utterly agree.
Trump should lead and manage his own country, the job he was elected to do.
He should back off from both Greenland and Denmark, whose current leaders have made it very clear they want nothing to do with Trump.
It’ll be a very bad day for NATO if Trump foolishly continues to push forward with this. No one wants this bar Trump. Interestingly, if Trump feels America has the finances to do this, shouldn’t he be spending it on his own citizens first?
There is no doubt that Russian ships are in the North Atlantic; it is their sea route; their fishing ships are off UK coastal waters; especially in Winter when Northern Russia is as iced as Canada.
Perhaps Iceland or Canada need to bid for Greenland, as they are nearest?
A poll suggests that Greenlanders want independence, and Denmark are not innocent in their dealings with Greenlanders; but do they have the means? (Denmark provides Greenland with a significant annual block grant, c.500-€600m, covering half of its public expenses, plus some for infrastructure, healthcare, and defense- crucial for Greenland's economy).
While Trump is busy getting rid of its ethnic groups, do you think he will grant US citizenship to them? They currently hold Danish citizenship and have free movement across the EU.
US already have a military base there, displacing a whole town to do so with the agreement of the Danish govt, and use of bases in Norway, Sweden, Finland and the UK
FranP
There is no doubt that Russian ships are in the North Atlantic; it is their sea route; their fishing ships are off UK coastal waters; especially in Winter when Northern Russia is as iced as Canada.
Perhaps Iceland or Canada need to bid for Greenland, as they are nearest?
A poll suggests that Greenlanders want independence, and Denmark are not innocent in their dealings with Greenlanders; but do they have the means? (Denmark provides Greenland with a significant annual block grant, c.500-€600m, covering half of its public expenses, plus some for infrastructure, healthcare, and defense- crucial for Greenland's economy).
While Trump is busy getting rid of its ethnic groups, do you think he will grant US citizenship to them? They currently hold Danish citizenship and have free movement across the EU.
US already have a military base there, displacing a whole town to do so with the agreement of the Danish govt, and use of bases in Norway, Sweden, Finland and the UK
I didn't know that - ie America already shoving a town in Greenland out of the way to make way for a base for them!!!
I think it would be useful if anyone has links to any good articles/books to help explain the whole Greenland situation to those of us (that's probably most of us then) who don't know that much about Greenland. We know where our sympathies lie (ie with Greenland and Denmark) - but it would be useful to have more of the background information on how things are there/the history of the place.
It would also be useful to have a detailed analysis of JUST how much Trump is going to upset Nato and the knock-on effect of what will happen re US airforce bases/etc in Europe and Britain if he really does go ahead and whack one of our countries like this. Trying to get my head round the whole thought of one Nato country (ie USA) attacking other Nato countries. I know America has stormed round the world subverting other peoples governments, wanting their bases on other peoples countries, etc, etc for decades now (CIA thrown into the mix ...the lot) and it's quite a thing to get one's mind round now having to look at America as "enemy/potential enemy" of us!!!!
Trump is now threatening to add tariffs to any country which doesn't support his desire to take over Greenland. Bullies know no other tactic than bullying. I really hope Europe stays firm.
Greenlanders should choose for them selves. They should not be owned by anyone and not have their country drilled and mined by that nutter or anyone,
Whitewavemark2
Greenlanders, whilst not liking being partially ruled by Denmark, are content for the status quo for the foreseeable future, until they can become economically independent, and the rare minerals will give them that independence.
It is not for another mighty power to grab Greenland and it’s mineral wealth for their own.
Trump is the absolutely worst scenario that could take place.
A "mercenarie" without a failed shot would be the best way to get this Pediphile off the planet.
This is dispicable indvidual also just had ICE put the Southern Minneapolis NATIVE AMERICAN INDIANS IN CONCENTRATION CAMPS !!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS IS 100% CRUELER THAN CRUEL .. THESE INDIANS HAVE BEEN IN THIS REGION FOR CENTURIES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THIS PSYCHOPATH Fascist must be eliminated !!!!!!!!!
THIS NARCISSIST MUST BE DONE AWAY WITH.
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