🔗 Share this article A Top Trump Aide Intensifies Threats to Take Over Greenland One of Donald Trump’s senior advisors has increased tensions on Denmark by challenging Copenhagen’s claim to Greenland. Force Deemed Unnecessary The president’s deputy chief of staff, stated emphatically military intervention would not be needed to take over the northern landmass because “no nation would engage the United States militarily over the fate of Greenland”. “The idea of military action against Greenland? Its population numbers just 30,000 inhabitants people,” he incorrectly stated, despite the actual figure being closer to 57,000. He also suggested that Copenhagen lacks a valid claim to the territory, which is a former Danish colony and remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Escalating Diplomatic Strains Miller’s comments follow a period of increasing friction between the two NATO allies after the American leader's repeated interest to purchase Greenland. A key parliamentary committee in Denmark has called an extraordinary meeting to examine the bilateral ties with the United States. Speaking to media, Miller told CNN that control over Greenland could be achieved without armed conflict due to its small population. Challenging Copenhagen's Rule “The real question is what right does Denmark have to assert control over Greenland? What is the basis of their ownership claim?” he asked. Miller continued: “The US is the dominant force in NATO. For the US to protect Arctic interests to defend NATO, obviously Greenland should be incorporated into the United States.” There was, he said “no requirement to even think or talk about” a armed takeover in Greenland, adding: “No country would wage war against the US over this issue.” International Reactions His comments followed Trump said over the weekend, fresh from other foreign policy actions, that the US desired the territory “very badly”. The Danish prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, responded by saying that an American aggression against a NATO ally would mean the end of the military alliance and “post-Second World War security”. Greenland’s prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, issued a forceful rebuke, urging Trump to abandon his “fantasies about annexation” and accused the US of being “wholly inappropriate”. Background and Present Position The aide's assertions were preceded by his wife, podcaster Katie Miller, shared a map on social media of Greenland under a US flag with the tag “SOON”. When questioned on the online image, he responded by stating: “It has been the official stance of the US government since the beginning of this administration... The president has been very clear about that.” The territory was under colonial rule until 1953, when it became part of the Danish realm. The US has had a military base there, important for its national missile defense network. Recently, there has been increasing sentiment for self-rule, especially following revelations about Denmark’s treatment of Greenlandic people. But amid the prospect of acquisition talk, Greenland in March established a new coalition government in a show of national unity, with its agreement stating: “We are the rightful owners of Greenland.”