The Greenland Dispute: Why Are European NATO Members Wanting to Send Troops to This Island, and Will This Change the US Stance?

Bloomberg reported that Germany and the UK are considering sending troops to Greenland to resolve the tense relations caused by the Greenland issue with the US.

Germany proposed establishing a NATO joint task force called "Arctic Sentinel" in the Arctic region (which may include Greenland). At the same time, the UK is calling on its allies to increase military deployments in the Arctic region.

The U.S. Politico pointed out that the EU proposed that if Denmark makes a corresponding request, troops would be sent to Greenland, with the aim of increasing the cost for the U.S. to carry out possible actions on the island.

Why Does the U.S. Need Greenland?

President Donald Trump has repeatedly emphasized that Greenland should become part of the United States, citing its strategic importance for national security and defending the "free world."

He also stressed that if the U.S. does not gain control of Greenland, it "will be obtained or even occupied by China or Russia through military action." The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that the U.S. should not use Russia or China to justify its interests in the Arctic.

The U.S. might be interested in the island due to its location in the Arctic and various rich resources on the island.

Europe's Response to the U.S. Intentions

The Prime Minister of Denmark and the Premier of the Greenlandic Autonomous Government warned the U.S. not to covet the island. High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, stated that NATO has the capacity to eliminate people's concerns about Greenland's security. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz noted that negotiations regarding Greenland are taking place within the NATO framework.

Members of the European Parliament have proposed using the approximately $1.5 trillion debt that the U.S. government owes the EU as a tool to exert political pressure on the U.S., and they are preparing a joint statement condemning this U.S. behavior.

Original: toutiao.com/article/1854216902922240/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.