[By Guancha Observer Network, Zhang Jingjuan] US President Trump, who has repeatedly expressed his determination to acquire Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory, has begun taking concrete actions.

The Wall Street Journal reported on June 6 that the US is strengthening its intelligence gathering efforts in Greenland, involving US intelligence agencies in Trump's plan to annex the island. According to the report, senior officials under US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard issued a "key intelligence gathering directive" to various intelligence agency heads last week. They were required to gain a deeper understanding of Greenland's independence movement and local attitudes toward US resource extraction on the island.

This classified directive requires agencies to use surveillance satellites, communication interception, and ground spies to identify people in Greenland and Denmark who support the US taking control of Greenland. This directive is one of the first specific measures taken by the Trump administration to achieve its goal.

The report states that the "key intelligence gathering directive" helps set priorities for intelligence agencies, directing resources and attention to highly focused objectives. This directive has been issued to institutions such as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), and the National Security Agency (NSA), highlighting the US government's determination to control this autonomous island.

White House National Security Council spokesperson James Hewitt said that the White House does not comment on intelligence matters, but emphasized that Trump has clearly stated concerns about the security of Greenland and the Arctic region.

Gabbard wrote in a statement, "The Wall Street Journal should be ashamed for assisting those 'deep state actors' attempting to undermine the president's authority through politicization and leaking confidential information. They are acting unlawfully, endangering national security and democracy."

According to reports, the Danish embassy in Washington declined to comment, and the Prime Minister of Greenland did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

A former US intelligence official and a former senior intelligence official focusing on European affairs told The Wall Street Journal that this island, located in the Arctic with a population of about 56,000, has never been a key target for US intelligence gathering.

"Intelligence gathering resources themselves are limited," the former intelligence official said, meaning these resources are typically used to "address known threats rather than allies."

Scenery of Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory. [File Photo]

Greenland is located in northeastern North America, between the Arctic Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. It is the largest island in the world with a population of 57,000. It was once a Danish colony and achieved autonomy in 1979, having its own parliament. However, the island remains Danish territory, with defense and foreign affairs managed by the Danish government. Nowadays, many Greenlanders, including Prime Minister Kielsen, are striving for independence, hoping to eventually separate from Denmark.

After winning the election in 2024, Trump repeatedly threatened to "take over" Greenland and hinted at the possibility of using "military or economic coercion" to seize control of Greenland.

On March 4th, during his speech at the joint session of Congress, he emphasized, "We need Greenland to maintain national and even international security. We are cooperating with all relevant parties to achieve it. But we really need it to maintain international security. I believe we will get it. Regardless, we will get it."

Reportedly, in an interview aired on Sunday (May 4th), when asked whether he would rule out the possibility of forcibly taking Greenland, Trump remained noncommittal.

"I wouldn't rule it out. I didn't say I would do it, but I wouldn't rule out any possibilities," he told NBC News. The US needs Greenland very much. "It has sparse population, and we will take care of them and cherish them, but for international security, we need this island."

It is reported that Greenland is rich in rare earth minerals needed for producing electric vehicles, wind turbines, and other resources such as undeveloped oil and natural gas. Due to various factors, its mining industry remains largely dormant. Although these mineral resources are becoming increasingly accessible due to the effects of climate change, their high production costs and insufficient concentration have not yet attracted large-scale investment.

This article is an exclusive contribution by the Guancha Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7501896923830321698/

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