Table of Contents
- Denmark's Military Commitment
- Trump's Recent Comments
- Denmark's Defensive Strategy
- Methods of Potential Takeover
- European Response to Trump's Threats
- The Shortest War Scenario
DENMARK will “shoot first and ask questions later” if the US invades Greenland, despite Donald Trump assuring that he will “always support NATO.”
This unwavering commitment is part of Copenhagen’s military doctrine, which dictates that soldiers must “immediately” respond with force when faced with an attack.
Danish troops will respond to any invaders if Trump decides to invadeCredit: Reuters
The US president has intensified his rhetoric regarding the acquisition of the island in recent daysCredit: AP
This statement comes as Trump has not ruled out the possibility of taking control by force, labeling the territory a “national security priority.”
The assertive comments from the US president follow his complex operation in Venezuela and the capture of Nicolas Maduro.
In response to Trump’s alarming statements, Denmark affirmed that it will launch a counter-attack in the event of an invasion due to its military doctrine.
A rule established in 1952 mandates that troops must defend against attackers without waiting for orders, with Copenhagen stating on Wednesday that the law “remains active.”
The commitment specifies: “The attacked forces must immediately engage in combat without waiting for or seeking orders, even if the commanders involved are unaware of the declaration of war or state of war.”
Trump’s threats have alarmed Greenland and caused a stir in Europe, as an invasion of Greenland could potentially jeopardize NATO's existence.
The US leader’s warnings have also thrown Western allies into disarray as the “Coalition of the Willing” attempts to finalize a deal to conclude the War in Ukraine.
On TruthSocial, Trump shared a lengthy rant directed at European allies, asserting that the US would always support NATO, adding “even if they won’t support us.”
In his post, Trump reiterated that many NATO members had failed to meet their military spending commitments until he intervened.
“The USA was, foolishly, paying for them! I, respectfully, got them to 5% GDP, AND THEY PAY, immediately,” he wrote.
However, the US leader emphasized that the NATO member countries are “all my friends.”
He concluded by stating that Russia and China have “zero fear of NATO” without the United States as a member of the alliance.
France and Germany have united to confront Trump’s threats in a bid to deter the US president.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot downplayed the possibility of an invasion, claiming that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio assured him that Washington was not planning such an attack.
Four Ways Trump Could Take Greenland
HERE are four potential methods Donald Trump could use to take control of Greenland:
- Invasion: Trump could easily utilize the world’s strongest military to annex a poorly defended target like Greenland. Denmark might even capitulate before a conflict arises to prevent a complete NATO collapse. However, any attack could face challenges such as extreme weather conditions and lengthy supply lines.
- Coercion: The mere threat of military intervention could compel Copenhagen to relinquish the important island. Additionally, Trump could negotiate the purchase of Greenland directly from Denmark. Previous US administrations have attempted this at least three times, with the first effort dating back to 1867.
- Free Association: Washington is reportedly developing a plan to establish a “compact of free association” with Greenland. This agreement would resemble current arrangements the US has with nations like Palau, Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands. Under these partnerships, the US military has unrestricted access to these territories in exchange for duty-free trade. However, for such a deal to occur, Greenland would need to gain independence from Denmark first.
- Prolong the Status Quo: With both Denmark and Trump seeking influence, Greenland could extract benefits from both parties without fully gaining independence or submitting to the US. If Washington settled for an increased military presence and mineral-mining contracts on the island, they might abandon further plans for complete annexation.
He stated: “I was on the phone yesterday with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio… who confirmed that this was not the approach taken…
“He ruled out the possibility of an invasion [of Greenland].”
Paris has expressed a desire to “take action” alongside European allies in response to Trump’s threats.
Rubio reportedly informed lawmakers on Monday that the US was not considering an invasion, despite Trump leaving military action on the table.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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