By Free Republic | Created at 2024-12-24 19:42:27 | Updated at 2024-12-25 08:46:21
13 hours ago
Denmark boosts Greenland defence after Trump repeats desire for US control
BBC ^ | December 24, 2024 | Robert Greenall
Posted on 12/24/2024 11:32:35 AM PST by xxqqzz
The Danish government has announced a huge boost in defence spending for Greenland, hours after US President-elect Donald Trump repeated his desire to purchase the Arctic territory.
Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said the package was a "double digit billion amount" in krone, or at least $1.5bn (£1.2bn).
He described the timing of the announcement as an "irony of fate". On Monday Trump said ownership and control of the huge island was an "absolute necessity" for the US.
Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, is home to a large US space facility and is strategically important for the US, lying on its shortest route to Europe. It has major mineral reserves.
Poulsen said the package would allow for the purchase of two new inspection ships, two new long-range drones and two extra dog sled teams.
It would also include funding for increased staffing at Arctic Command in the capital Nuuk and an upgrade for one of Greenland's three main civilian airports to handle F-35 supersonic fighter aircraft.
"We have not invested enough in the Arctic for many years, now we are planning a stronger presence," he said.
The defence minister did not give an exact figure for the package, but Danish media estimated it would be around 12-15bn krone.
The announcement came a day after Trump said on his social media platform Truth Social: "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."
Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede responded to Trump's comments, saying "we are not for sale".
But he added that Greenlanders should continue to be open for cooperation and trade, especially with their neighbours.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: greenland
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1 posted on 12/24/2024 11:32:35 AM PST by xxqqzz
To: xxqqzz
2 posted on 12/24/2024 11:36:39 AM PST by Gaffer
To: xxqqzz
3 posted on 12/24/2024 11:38:31 AM PST by Orosius (“Wake America Up Again )
To: xxqqzz
Had to double check that it wasn’t the Babylon Bee.
To: xxqqzz
Lotsa green in Greenland.
Denmark beefing up defenses? Are they serious? The the Bee just add a b to the end of their name?
5 posted on 12/24/2024 11:39:06 AM PST by HYPOCRACY (Democracy is dead. Long live the Republic!)
To: xxqqzz
Wow
A couple of extra dog-sled teams.
That should seal it.
To: xxqqzz
Denmark boosts Greenland defence
They doubled the defence of Greenland. Now there are two constables there.
To: Orosius
Kind of makes you wonder. Was this whole thing just a psyop to get the Danes to do a better job of defending it? Is this trolling on hard mode?
8 posted on 12/24/2024 11:40:20 AM PST by Windcatcher
To: xxqqzz
He thinks we’re going to send the military to take it?
He thinks Denmark could do anything about it if we did?
This is how he negotiates?
What a freaking maroon.
9 posted on 12/24/2024 11:40:22 AM PST by Sarcazmo (I live by the Golden Rule. As applied by others; I'm not selfish.)
To: xxqqzz
We already have a base on Greenland. Is Denmark gonna attack it? With what?
10 posted on 12/24/2024 11:40:28 AM PST by HYPOCRACY (Democracy is dead. Long live the Republic!)
To: xxqqzz
The Danish government has announced a huge boost in defence spending for Greenland, hours after US President-elect Donald Trump repeated his desire to purchase the Arctic territory.
Probably Trump's real goal. Denmark hadn't put enough troops there to repel a Chinese balloon, let alone an expeditionary force.
11 posted on 12/24/2024 11:40:44 AM PST by Mr. Jeeves ([CTRL]-[GALT]-[DELETE])
To: Lonesome in Massachussets
XD.
The US probably has more military there than the Danes do.
12 posted on 12/24/2024 11:41:26 AM PST by Sarcazmo (I live by the Golden Rule. As applied by others; I'm not selfish.)
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