One of Donald Trump’s top aides has ramped up the pressure on the Danish government by challenging Denmark's sovereign claim to Greenland.
Force Deemed Unnecessary
Stephen Miller, also claimed the use of armed force would not be necessary to assume control of the northern landmass because “nobody is going to fight the United States militarily over the fate of Greenland”.
“The idea of military action against Greenland? Its population numbers just 30,000 inhabitants people,” Miller inaccurately claimed, despite the actual figure being closer to 57,000.
He also suggested that Denmark does not have a valid claim to the territory, which is a former Danish colony and remains part of the Danish kingdom.
Escalating Diplomatic Strains
These remarks come amid increasing friction between the US and Denmark after the US president’s renewed calls to annex Greenland.
A key parliamentary committee in Denmark has convened an extraordinary meeting to examine the bilateral ties with the United States.
Speaking to media, Miller asserted that control over Greenland could be gained without military intervention due to its limited number of residents.
Challenging Copenhagen's Rule
“The core issue is what right does Denmark have to exercise sovereignty over Greenland? What is the basis of their ownership claim?” Miller questioned.
Miller continued: “The US is the dominant force in NATO. For the US to secure the Arctic region to defend NATO, it is logical that Greenland should be incorporated into the United States.”
There was, he said “no need to even consider or discuss” a military operation in Greenland, adding: “No country would wage war against the US over this issue.”
Global Responses
His comments followed Trump remarked recently, following events in Venezuela, that the US desired the territory “very badly”.
The Danish prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, reacted by saying that an American aggression against a fellow alliance member would mean the collapse of the defensive pact and “the postwar security order”.
Greenland’s prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, issued a forceful rebuke, calling on the US president to give up his “notions of acquisition” and accused the US of being “completely and utterly unacceptable”.
Historical Context and Current Stance
The aide's assertions were preceded by his wife, podcaster Katie Miller, shared a map on social media of Greenland under a US flag with the tag “SOON”.
Asked about the online image, he laughed and said: “It has been the official stance of the US government since the beginning of this administration... Donald Trump has been very clear about that.”
The territory was under colonial rule until 1953, when it became part of the kingdom of Denmark. The US has had a strategic installation there, critical to its national missile defense network.
Recently, there has been growing support for self-rule, particularly after revelations about historical policies of Greenlandic people.
But amid the spectre of acquisition talk, Greenland in March established a new coalition government in a demonstration of solidarity, with its agreement stating: “We are the rightful owners of Greenland.”
