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Greenland Update

(343 Posts)
Cossy Tue 13-Jan-26 10:41:16

Telegraph today

Trump’s plan to make Greenlanders an offer they can’t refuse

Sounds more than a little ominous?

Really interesting article covering two things

1) Trumps complete “lie” about Russian and China having ships in Greenland water, not ONE local report from Greenland, across many sources, about spitting even ONE ship.

2) Very very interesting info around Greenland’s minerals. A good read if you have time, link below.

It raises yet again how gun-ho Trump is about getting what he wants, lying, cheating and breaking all kinds of protocol because man-child Trump chooses.

My heart goes out to Greenlanders, who appear very content with Denmark and both Greenland and Denmark have cooperated fully with USA re security since the 1950’s.

My view? Come on Europe, pool ALL your resources and stop this idiot before he ruins our entire world with his greed.

What do you think?

Just in case link doesn’t work, salient points from the article are below, warning, it’s long!

.*Trump’s plan to make Greenlanders an offer they can’t refuse
US proposals to buy the island have been met with protests and alarm by locals
Eir Nolsøe is Economics Correspondent at The Telegraph covering stories on government tax and spend, the labour market and monetary policy.
When Aka Binzer-Johnsen prepared her two daughters for school and nursery after the holidays at the start of January, she felt compelled to tell them about Donald Trump. “I asked my daughters if they could remember from last year that Trump really wants our country,” she says. “I tried to explain in a child-friendly way that this is happening again, and if they hear anything, that’s why.”
The 38-year-old mother, her husband Uju and their daughters, aged five and seven, live on the outskirts of Nuuk, the capital of Greenland.
Home to just 20,000 people, life in the quiet town with colourful wooden houses normally feels safe and far removed from the world’s troubles.
But the US president’s threats to seize Greenland have brought a crisis to Nuuk’s doorstep. “This was always like a safe little bubble,” says Binzer-Johnsen, who is a project manager for a charity. “That’s what we are used to from growing up here.”
She adds: “Everything has changed so fast. People are very scared, and emotions are heightened. I’ve felt really bad about what is going on. I’ve had sleepless nights.
“I have so many questions, wondering what we are going to do. If I want to protect my family, is this the time to act?
“I constantly feel ready to flee and leave, just for a period. But at the same time, we can’t just stop living. Everything we’ve invested in is here: our dreams and our life.”

Such considerations are now weighing on the minds of many Greenlanders, regardless of the territory’s status as a Nato member and having served as an American ally for more than 80 years.
The fate of the world’s largest island has been thrust back into the spotlight this month following Trump’s capture of Nicolás Maduro, the Venezuelan president.
Buoyed by his coup in Latin America, Trump has now set his sights on Greenland, the sparsely populated autonomous Danish territory.
“We need Greenland from a national security situation,” Mr Trump said last week, adding that he may have to choose between preserving Nato or expanding America’s influence in the western hemisphere.

“It’s so strategic. Right now, Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place.”
The threats have sent alarm bells ringing in Copenhagen and Brussels, prompting stunned European leaders to issue a joint statement saying they will “not stop defending” Greenland.
However, it should not come as a surprise.
The US president has long been fascinated by Greenland, which has been part of the Danish kingdom for hundreds of years, like the Faroe Islands.
Trump first proposed buying the island during his first term in 2019, comparing it to “a large real estate deal”.

Seven years later, he has returned to the issue, alternating between threats of military force and offers to make Greenlanders rich.
All in all, last week’s events suggest the US president may be determined to make Greenlanders an offer they can’t refuse.
However, in Nuuk, the mood is one of anger and defiance.
“He can go f--- himself,” is the verdict from a local pensioner.

So why has the world’s most powerful man decided that, come hell or high water, he must own the world’s largest island?
“The Arctic is the crossroads of the world,” says Dwayne Menezes, founder of the Polar Research and Policy Initiative in London.
“Greenland is strategically located along the shortest air and sea routes between three continents: North America, Europe and Asia.”
The country’s position means it would offer the shortest route for ballistic missiles targeting North America, and it is key to surveillance in the Arctic.
“It also is a vast resource frontier, all of which is becoming increasingly strategically important for the US, but also increasingly accessible because of climate change,” Menezes adds.

The US has cooperated with Greenland and Denmark on national security since the Second World War.
Americans operate the island’s only military base. Some 150 US soldiers staff the Pituffik Space Base on the north-west coast, down from 6,000 during the Cold War.
This is part of a defence agreement that has been in place between the US and Denmark since 1951.
“The US has had such critical infrastructure in Greenland since the Second World War, through the Cold War, and more recently, even now, it plays a very, very important role for the Space Force,” Menezes says.

Experts and locals are also sceptical of US claims that the island’s waters are full of ships from hostile states that pose a threat.
“If there are so many Chinese and Russian ships here, then how can it be that only Donald Trump has seen them?” says Frans Heilmann, the boss of fishing company Sigguk.
Heilmann adds: “All of Greenland is full of fishing trawlers. I have not heard of a single trawler that has spotted either a Russian or Chinese vessel near our coasts.

“I am not sure he [Trump] has much of a conscience. He says Greenland’s strategic position means he needs us for national security.
“But he already has that. That argument is worthless. He’s just after the minerals. He’s a trophy hunter.”
The suspicion that Trump’s interest in Greenland is its vast deposits of rare earths is widespread.
“It’s not really any more about wanting to get Greenland because of security reasons, but coming up with security reasons to get Greenland,” says Menezes.*

The island is rich in resources ranging from uranium that can be used to power nuclear plants to obscure minerals critical for modern-day electronics.*

apple.news/ADUBx4ZdcRbmK5xmG_p4znw

Whitewavemark2 Mon 19-Jan-26 09:30:11

Yes I saw that! I decided it was false, but if it is real, 😮😮

MaizieD Mon 19-Jan-26 09:24:43

This has been endlessly posted and reposted on BlueSky this morning.
It is genuine.
It is disturbing.

I hope that those who suggest that this affair will blow over when Trump has something else to think about are correct.

President Trump has asked that the following message, shared with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, be forwarded to your [named head of government/state "Dear Jonas: Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America. Denmark cannot protect that land from Russia or China, and why do they have a "right of ownership" anyway? There are no written documents, it's only that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago, but we had boats landing there, also. I have done more for NATO than any other person since its founding, and now, NATO should do something for the United States. The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland. Thank you! President DJT

Whitewavemark2 Mon 19-Jan-26 09:20:42

I think Starmer needs to go to Davos.

foxie48 Mon 19-Jan-26 08:39:15

The US voter is against Trump, there's significant opposition in the Republican party and complete opposition from the Democrats. Trump will back down eventually but currently it's keeping the Epstein files out of the headlines.

Chocolatelovinggran Mon 19-Jan-26 08:31:12

AGAA4, I think that there is a third reason, relating to files regarding activities on the island belonging to the late Mr Epstein. No one's talking about them, now, are they - result!
And I could go full conspiracy - theory with a fourth thought, in that a " war" situation would lead to a cancellation of the mid term elections, avoiding any risk of embarrassing defeats for the Republican party.

AGAA4 Mon 19-Jan-26 08:18:36

Trump is a bully and the only way to deal with a bully is stand up to him. Placating and cosying up to Trump hasn't worked.
He threatens NATO but the US will be weaker without it.
He wants Greenland for two reasons. To make him richer and expand the US.

Maremia Mon 19-Jan-26 07:11:32

The Greenland issue is bound to be a big feature at the Davos gathering this weekend.

Whitewavemark2 Mon 19-Jan-26 07:11:20

Our biggest exports are cars, medicine and pharmacy in general I think.

Well, we will just have to find an alternative market as we must never give in to a bully.

Anyone in Europe fancy buying a RangeRover?

Whitewavemark2 Mon 19-Jan-26 07:07:16

I think that the population throughout Europe is generally appalled at Trump.

Mamie Mon 19-Jan-26 07:03:45

Whitewavemark2

Mamie

I love the new MAGA hat they are wearing in Greenland.
Make America Go Away.

Is Macron making a speech?

Starmer is addressing the nation at 9.15am.

Together we are economically stronger than the USA , that us why trump hates the EU and loves Brexit.

I haven't seen anything about a speech by Macron yet, but he tends to address the nation at 8pm. There is certainly a lot going on diplomatically in Europe and Keir Starmer is very much a part of it.

Whitewavemark2 Mon 19-Jan-26 06:53:47

Mamie

I love the new MAGA hat they are wearing in Greenland.
Make America Go Away.

Is Macron making a speech?

Starmer is addressing the nation at 9.15am.

Together we are economically stronger than the USA , that us why trump hates the EU and loves Brexit.

Mamie Mon 19-Jan-26 06:43:56

I love the new MAGA hat they are wearing in Greenland.
Make America Go Away.

David49 Mon 19-Jan-26 06:28:24

"We have enough problems caused by our own government and if Trump does invade Greenland then our armed forces will go to the aid of them ."

Thats nonsense talk, NOBODY is hoing to fight the US over Greenland, they are not even going to impose sanctions. The reality is that we need the US more than they need us, their ultimate threat is to pull out of NATO, just think, how do we defend Europe without US cooperation.

Get real if the US does decide to take over Greenland there is nothing we can do except protest.

No comparison with Falklands or Gibraltar they both want to remain British.

Whiff Mon 19-Jan-26 05:56:24

It's funny in a way people where worried for decades about Russia and 3rd world war. Putin must be laughing his socks off as Trump is threatening to take a country by force . All because he wants it . He's like a child he throws a tantrum if he can't get his own way.

We sent forces to the Falklands because Argentina invaded them to protect the people who are under British rule but have their own government. They wanted to stay British. Look at the cost of life it caused and our armed forces who fought and wounded plus the families devastated by the death of loved ones that are still effected to this day.

Is Trump going to send armed forces to attack Greenland and think people wouldn't fight back . Does he think taxing countries that defend Greenlanders will not go to their aid along with Danish forces . Why does he think taxing will stop countries from protecting a peaceful country.

I know what some of my American friends think . They are suffering under him because of raised food prices ,destroying the healthcare system and tearing families apart . He has taken away buses that the disabled had to pay for yearly off them . Some can't go out often and if they can afford it have taxis or rely on family and friends for drs and hospital appointments or paying for hospital transport.

We have enough problems caused by our own government and if Trump does invade Greenland then our armed forces will go to the aid of them .

Look what happened last time someone invaded an European country because he wanted to .

I know my view may be not factual it's just as I see it . One of my American friends starts her posts with guess what the ginger turd has done now .

David49 Mon 19-Jan-26 04:11:11

MayBee70

Weren’t indigenous people still being treated quite badly in Australia in the 1970’s? I think people of our age tend to forget that the 1970’s were actually a long long time ago and an awful lot has changed since then.

The UK was still transporting children to Australia too, a long time ago maybe but it doesnt change the Greenland problem.
They cant have a modern lifestyle without a large subsidy from someone, I dont see a problem if they are ruled by Denmark and protected by NATO.

I do see a potential problem if they get independence

MayBee70 Sun 18-Jan-26 23:06:10

Weren’t indigenous people still being treated quite badly in Australia in the 1970’s? I think people of our age tend to forget that the 1970’s were actually a long long time ago and an awful lot has changed since then.

Chocolatelovinggran Sun 18-Jan-26 17:32:06

Absolutely correct, foxie. If the Danes
behaved badly half a century ago,this will be known to Greenlanders today, and they have made their decision known.
I'm not sure that the behaviour in some states in the USA towards people of colour in the nineteen seventies would stand up to critical scrutiny.
Life for fertile women today in some parts of the United States is a worry of a different sort.

foxie48 Sun 18-Jan-26 16:46:58

Pretty much every country with a colonial past has mistreated the indigenous people who lived in the countries they colonised. The fact is that Greenlanders don't want to be sold to the US anymore than the Faulklanders want to be Argentinian or the Gibraltarians want to be Spanish
IMO it's that which matters first and foremost.

CariadAgain Sun 18-Jan-26 16:13:28

Wyllow3

I'm not claiming that to be totally provably accurate, btw, it was just a thought I followed.

LOL....though goodness knows I wouldnt put anything past Trump. I've never even heard of the idea of someone being "frozen" before they're even dead - but quite happy to agree with that idea......as that should deal with that problem....forever.

Wouldnt be surprised if that's a satirical newspaper though - rather than genuine - before we all raise our hopes of getting rid of him that easily.

Wyllow3 Sun 18-Jan-26 16:06:11

I'm not claiming that to be totally provably accurate, btw, it was just a thought I followed.

Wyllow3 Sun 18-Jan-26 15:58:08

theiowamercury.substack.com/p/breaking-trump-plans-to-be-cryogenically

valdavi Sun 18-Jan-26 15:07:57

nanna8

Cossy

The reason for not lining appears to be more to do with the environment than anything else, “drill baby drill” Trump doesn’t “believe” in protecting the environment or climate change.

Having done a small amount of research it seems most Greenlanders live simple, peaceful lives and are not greedy money grabbing thieves, who don’t wish to destroy their environment to get “rich”

Sensible people with more sense than most. You wonder why Trump doesn’t seem to have worked out that you can’t take anything with you, best to live life in a decent and loving way.

I think Trump, if he ever thinks about his mortality at all, thinks he'll be able to "buy" his way out with life extending drugs or escaping to Mars on SpaceX, or the first until the second comes online. I betcha the man is figuring on taking it all with him!

Wyllow3 Sun 18-Jan-26 15:04:34

JenniferEccles

I certainly don’t condone Trump’s bully-boy tactics, but if he were to make a good offer to Denmark which was accepted, would it necessarily be such a bad thing?

As we’ve found, Denmark hasn’t exactly been squeaky clean in its dealings.

Well the people are clearly saying "No*, and why.

The future would be mapped out for them by Trump not by negotation with Denmark, and would be vastly different, imposed by diktat

What else do you need to know?

No, is no?

CariadAgain Sun 18-Jan-26 14:32:36

Yep...I read that and gather a noticeable number of Inuit women hadn't realised what the "medical rape" they were put through consisted of. Am wondering whether any of these girls went back home to their parents that day and said "They treated me very badly at school today - and it was only the girls they were doing something nasty to and they left the boys alone". I don't know how their culture functions - and maybe they'd been taught by their parents "girls are modest and don't talk about things like that" and so didn't make any complaints to their parents?

Does anyone know if there were irate Inuit parents heading into school with a very determined look on their faces - to get the culprits...

JenniferEccles Sun 18-Jan-26 14:25:21

One Inuit woman said she had no idea she had had a coil fitted as a young girl until she got married and tried unsuccessfully to get pregnant.

Presumably she saw a doctor where the coil was discovered.

The Danish government at the time wanted to keep the population of Greenland at around 50,000. There draconian measures were successful as it’s stated the population now is around 57,000.