President-elect Trump's comments regarding the seizure and acquisition of Greenland highlight bipartisan discussions about the need to strengthen security around the Arctic island and strengthen regional defenses.
Republicans see President Trump's desire for Greenland as a negotiating platform to strengthen Arctic security related to his strategy to confront China. President Trump also discussed taking back the Panama Canal, where China controls two of the five ports.
Democrats disagree with Trump's proposal to potentially take over the country of about 55,000 people by military force, but agree there is room to strengthen security in Greenland and the northern highlands. There is.
“There's no question that Russia is becoming more present in Russia, and China is now increasing its power and acquiring property in Iceland,” said Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.). ” he said.
“That part of the world is going to become increasingly important,” added Courtney, ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC)'s Seapower Subcommittee.
Conflicts are escalating in the Arctic as climate change melts ice sheets and opens new sea routes. China, which calls itself a major power close to the Arctic, and Russia, which is considered an Arctic power along with the United States, are increasing their activities in the region to compete with U.S. and NATO forces.
Greenland is a strategic island on the northern frontier overseen by NATO ally Denmark, and is also rich in minerals needed for key technologies such as electric vehicles, a market currently dominated by China. Greenland has also seen significant investment from China in several industries, but Denmark has been criticized for neglecting the island's security.
President Trump, who said he wanted to purchase Greenland during his first term, reiterated his desire to acquire Greenland and did not rule out using military force to achieve that goal. .
“We need Greenland for national security. I've been told that for a long time, long before I ran,” he said at a press conference earlier this month.
Republicans support broader ideas to strengthen Arctic security, but have strayed from the issue of using military force to seize the world's largest island.
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), former chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said President Trump's comments should not be taken at face value.
“What he's saying is, 'Look, there's a base there.' There's a lot of natural resources, and the Arctic is being exploited by Russia and China,” McCall said. agreed that one way to strengthen Denmark's defenses was to have Denmark pay more for its security.
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida), who is expected to be President Trump's next secretary of state, said during his confirmation hearing that President Trump's comments about Greenland were about strategic posture.
“I think you have to understand that, despite what's going on in the media, Greenland has been strategically important to the United States and the Western world for a very long time,” Rubio said.
“I think now we have an opportunity to see it for what it is. It's one of the most important parts of the world for the next 50 to 100 years, if not the most important part of navigation in the Arctic. “Freedom and what it means for global trade and commerce,” he added.
The United States maintains one military installation in Greenland, the Pitufik Cosmodrome, built in 1951.
The port is America's northernmost deep-water port, has a 10,000-foot runway, and is operated by the 821st Space Station Group, which focuses on power projection, space superiority, and scientific research in the Arctic region.
The Department of Defense, home to the Arctic and Global Resilience Office,Announced the latest Arctic strategy last summer It primarily focuses on improving cooperation with the Northern Allies, increasing training efforts, and accelerating communications and intelligence investments.
Experts argue that despite these promises, resources are not being pumped into the Arctic.
Center for European Policy Analysis in December report It accused the United States of “persistent gaps” in cold weather equipment, radar coverage, and air domain awareness.
He also said that despite the recent addition of Finland and Sweden to increase the number of Arctic countries to seven, NATO is not adequately addressing its strategy in the region.
“A true 'Arctic awakening' within the NATO organization still awaits,” the report states. “NATO needs an operational roadmap for the Arctic.”
The United States also aims to build more icebreakers under the agreement. Icebreaker Collaborative Effort (ICE) Agreement Finland and Canada. The Coast Guard, which operates icebreakers, has 12 ships, but only two can operate in the Arctic. In comparison, Russia has 41 cases and China has 5 cases.
Courtney said that while the U.S. “dropped the ball when it came to recapitalizing icebreakers,” he disagreed with President Trump's approach to the situation.
“An ICE agreement between Canada, Finland and the United States is the best way to truly address the Northern Highlands issue, rather than talking about occupying Greenland,” the Democrat said.
President Trump's push for Greenland comes as the country, an autonomous country outside of Denmark's security and foreign policy control, moves toward independence.
Copenhagen has pushed back against President Trump's desire to buy the island, saying Greenland must make its own decision about independence.
Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede said his country is ready to cooperate with the United States on defense and trade, but on the United States' own terms.
“This is the first time that Greenland is being listened to with enthusiasm. We need to stay calm, take advantage of things and stand united,” he said at a press conference this week.
Troy Bouffard, director of the Arctic Security and Recovery Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, said: November report Other researchers said Greenland wants a greater say in foreign policy and defense, even if it does not immediately become independent.
The report explained that opportunities for increased U.S. investment are expanding to counter historically strong Chinese investment.
Lawmakers believe there is a significant opportunity to increase investment in the Arctic and work with Denmark to revitalize Greenland.
Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), ranking member of the Armed Services Committee, said the United States would have no problem working with Denmark or Greenland if they became independent.
“I think that's important. Russia and China are certainly involved in a lot of strategy. [areas]” Smith said, but warned against threatening Denmark over Greenland. “I don't think it's strategically necessary to own Greenland, but it's certainly important to be involved in that part of the world.”
