If the Trump Administration is serious about its concerns regarding Arctic security, it would welcome a larger NATO presence in Greenland. If those concerns are a pretext to justify annexation, a NATO mission to Greenland helps reaffirm the territorial integrity of Denmark and Greenland.
With the Trump Administration continuing to ramp up its annexationist rhetoric regarding Greenland despite clear statements from Greenlanders rejecting the idea of becoming American, there is growing talk of a NATO mission to Greenland to both assuage Trump Administration concerns regarding security in the North and protect the sovereignty of Greenland and Denmark:
“Germany said Sunday it was ready to assume greater responsibilities in the Arctic after US President Donald Trump threatened to seize Greenland “one way or the other”, sparking a diplomatic crisis between Washington and its European allies.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Berlin would increase its Arctic commitments while rejecting Trump’s threats against the mineral-rich Danish territory.
“Security in the arctic is becoming more and more important and is part of our common interest in NATO,” Wadephul said at a joint news conference with Iceland’s foreign minister in Reykjavik.
“If the American president is looking at what threats might come from Russian or Chinese ships or submarines in the region, we can of course find answers to that together.”
“But the future of Greenland must be decided by the people of Greenland” and Denmark, he said.“
The UK is also considering such a move:
“The Telegraph reported on Saturday that military chiefs from Britain and other European countries were drawing up plans for a possible NATO mission in Greenland, which U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly said he wanted to acquire.
The newspaper said British officials had begun early-stage talks with Germany, France and others on plans that could involve deploying British troops, warships and aircraft to protect Greenland from Russia and China.“
Canada should participate in a NATO mission in Greenland
As an Arctic nation, Canada should participate in the planning of a NATO mission to Greenland and the mission itself. We could send 500-1000 troops, and our experience operating in cold climates would be a real asset. We would also be sending two important signals. First, that we take American concerns about security in the North seriously and are willing to do our part, and second, if those concerns are nothing more than a pretext to justify the U.S. annexation of Greenland, that we respect Greenland and Denmark’s territorial integrity and are prepared to support other NATO partners in protecting that territorial integrity.
Spencer Fernando
Image – YouTube
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