Europe Needs to Think the Unthinkable on NATO
- Donald Trump's repeated expressions of interest in acquiring Greenland are rooted in his personal fascination with the island's size, as depicted on the Mercator map projection, rather than...
- And I always said, 'Look at the size of this, it's massive, and that should be part of the United states.'" Denmark currently holds sovereignty over Greenland. According...
- Trump has alluded to acquiring Greenland through force, stating he could do so "the easy way or 'the more challenging way.'" Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded that...
trumps Interest in Greenland Driven by Ego, Not Strategy
Donald Trump‘s repeated expressions of interest in acquiring Greenland are rooted in his personal fascination with the island’s size, as depicted on the Mercator map projection, rather than strategic necessity, according to reports. The Mercator map, created in the 16th century by Gerardus Mercator, distorts landmass sizes, making Greenland appear larger than it is – significantly bigger than South America and comparable to Africa. In reality, South America and Africa are many times larger than Greenland.
Trump reportedly told interviewers, “I love maps. And I always said, ‘Look at the size of this, it’s massive, and that should be part of the United states.'” Denmark currently holds sovereignty over Greenland. According to the Financial Times, Denmark has offered the United States all necessary military facilities and access to Greenland’s critical minerals, negating any strategic need for annexation.
Trump has alluded to acquiring Greenland through force, stating he could do so “the easy way or ‘the more challenging way.'” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded that a U.S. annexation of Greenland would effectively end the NATO alliance. Nicholas Burns, a former U.S. ambassador to NATO, concurred, stating a U.S. invasion “would destroy NATO.”
While some European NATO members might attempt to maintain the alliance even after a potential U.S. invasion, seeking continued protection from Russia, a mutual defense pact would be unsustainable if one member attacked another. A U.S. security guarantee to Europe would become meaningless.