There was no mention of Trump’s wish to purchase Greenland during Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s one-day whistlestop tour of Europe’s major capitals as her defence ministry announced a US$2 billion spend on high-tech military equipment.
Frederiksen met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris and NATO leader Mark Rutte in Brussels yesterday. This was after a sit-down lunch with leaders from Sweden, Finland and Norway.
The meetings were largely aimed at boosting Europe’s regional military capabilities. This included discussions over Ukraine and Russian attacks in the Baltic Sea, as well as Sweden and Finland’s acceptance into NATO.
Yet Greenland is likely one of the most significant topics being addressed by the Danes, as while Mette was touring Europe her defence ministry announced an initial US$2 billion increase in defence spending in the region.
Over the weekend Trump again repeated his wish for the U.S. to acquire the Danish territory for national security reasons - and refused to rule out using military or economic force to do so.
Greenland is a strategic supply gateway as climate change thaws trade routes in the world's northern oceans - as well as the territory's ice-capped land mass which contains vast swathes of untapped minerals including in-demand rare earths.
Find out more: Trump and Greenland Part 2: The rush for rare earths
"I think we're going to have it," Trump replied to questions about the purchase on Saturday.
At a news conference held by Frederiksen and Chancellor Scholz after their meeting on Tuesday morning, neither leader addressed Greenland, nor Trump.
Regional security
Denmark's Ministry of Defence says it will bolster defences around Greenland and across the Arctic and North Atlantic oceans. This is done through the purchase of three upgraded naval vessels, additional long-range drones and high-tech satellites.
The agreement will also strengthen cooperation on intelligence and research with an upgrade to the Denmark-Greenland Joint Arctic Command in the latter’s capital Nuuk.
Three newly built Arctic naval vessels will ensure that tasks around Greenland may be carried out more effectively and with enhanced flexibility. The ships will be able to carry other capabilities with them such as helicopters and drones.
Two long-range drones can monitor large areas at significant distances and provide detailed surveillance.
Satellite capacity and ground-based sensors will strengthen situational awareness and intelligence by identifying and surveying activities in areas such as the Arctic and North Atlantic.
A training agreement will enable more young people in Greenland to acquire critical skills. This will enable them to take responsibility for preparedness.
It’s part of a US$3.5 billion overall commitment spread across 2024-2028 by the Danish Government.
“We must face the fact that there are serious challenges regarding security and defence in the Arctic and North Atlantic,” Danish Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen said.
“For this reason, we must strengthen our presence in the region. That is the objective of this agreement, which paves the way for further initiatives already this year.”
A second defence agreement focusing on strengthening deterrence and defence in the region is in the discussion phase. It is is expected to be agreed before 1 July this year.
”Greenland is facing a changing security landscape. I am pleased with the steps we are taking towards increased security in and around Greenland with this partial defence agreement,” Greenland’s Minister of Statehood and Foreign Affairs Vivian Motzfeldt said.
“Naalakkersuisut is looking forward to continuing the dialogue with the Government of Denmark.”