For years, Donald Trump has provoked Denmark and NATO with his claims to ownership of Greenland. His unexpected agreement on the status of the island proves once again how little Trump understands diplomacy and international partnerships.
If Donald Trump If you want something, it obviously can’t happen without provocation. In case of Greenland He sent his son Donald Junior and Vice President JD Vance to the island. Then he thought aloud about buying the huge island in the North Atlantic. He also did not rule out a military conquest. Because Greenland, part of Denmark and therefore like that USA Member of the NATOis just a “big, beautiful piece of ice” for the US President.
In any case, Trump behaved like someone with whom one should not have serious negotiations. That an agreement has now been reached that both Denmark and Greenland is therefore quite a surprise: the sovereignty of Greenland and Denmark should not be violated. At the same time, the USA is likely to further expand its military presence on the island in the future. In addition, the US government should have a say in investments on the island.
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The agreement is actually a success – as long as Trump no longer carries out his threats. And yet it shows once again how little the self-proclaimed negotiation expert understands this craft. All the things that he sells as successes after months of provocation could have been achieved much more easily. A friendlier tone towards Denmark would probably have been enough.
But Trump will probably no longer learn the fine art of diplomacy. For the US President it always has to be the wooden hammer – even with partner states.
So far only a few key points of the agreement are known. What the US sees as the big deal remains a mystery for the time being. The expansion of the US military presence? This is already possible due to the current regulations with Denmark. A ban on expanding enemy bases on the island? Danish membership in NATO is a red line for other states. And the right to co-determination in investments? This would probably have been possible without the US threat.
Expansion of the military necessary
In addition, Denmark has long been open to strengthening the US military on the island: both NATO and the EU share the assessment that the Arctic needs to be better protected in the future. China and Russia have massively expanded their presence in the region in recent years. It is obvious that the huge island needs more than just a US military base.
