One of Donald Trump’s senior advisors has increased tensions on the Danish government by challenging Copenhagen’s claim to Greenland.
The president’s deputy chief of staff, stated emphatically the use of armed force would not be necessary to assume control of the northern landmass because “no nation would engage the United States militarily over the fate of Greenland”.
“What do you mean military action against Greenland? Greenland has 30,000 inhabitants people,” he incorrectly stated, despite the actual figure being closer to 57,000.
He also suggested that Denmark does not have a valid claim to the region, which is a one-time colonial possession and continues as a constituent country of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Miller’s comments come amid increasing friction between the two NATO allies after the American leader's repeated interest to annex Greenland.
The Danish foreign policy committee 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.
“The real question is what right does Denmark have to assert control over Greenland? What is the basis of their territorial claim?” Miller questioned.
Miller continued: “As the leading power within the dominant force in NATO. For the US to secure the Arctic region to safeguard the alliance, it is logical that Greenland should be part of the US.”
He stated there was “no requirement to even think or talk about” a armed takeover in Greenland, adding: “No country would wage war against the US militarily.”
His comments came after Trump said over the weekend, following events in Venezuela, that the US needed Greenland “urgently”.
The Danish prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, reacted by saying that an American aggression against a NATO ally would mean the collapse of the military alliance and “the postwar security order”.
The island's own leader, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, also made a strong statement, urging Trump to abandon his “fantasies about annexation” and labeled American rhetoric of being “completely and utterly unacceptable”.
Miller’s comments were preceded by his wife, a conservative commentator, posted a digital image of Greenland draped in a US flag with the caption “SOON”.
When questioned on the social media post, he responded by stating: “It has been the formal position of the US government since the beginning of this administration... Donald Trump has been explicit about that.”
Greenland remained a colony until 1953, when it was integrated of the Danish realm. The US maintains a military base there, important for its national missile defense network.
Recently, there has been growing support for Greenlandic independence, particularly after revelations about historical policies of Greenlandic people.
However, facing the prospect of acquisition talk, Greenland in March formed a new unity government in a demonstration of solidarity, with its founding document declaring: “We are the rightful owners of Greenland.”
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