Former Top NATO Commander Says Trump’s Greenland Plan is ‘Not a Crazy Idea’
A former high-ranking NATO official in Europe has expressed support for Trump’s proposal regarding Greenland. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
According to James Stavridis, former NATO supreme allied commander in Europe, the United States should consider Denmark’s Arctic island as an “economic objective.” He commented on US President-elect Donald Trump’s proposal to acquire Greenland, stating that while it’s not a “crazy idea,” military intervention is off the table. Stavridis instead advocates for deepening economic ties in the region.
During his appearance on ‘The Cats Roundtable’ with John Catsimatidis on WABC 770 radio, the retired admiral referred to Greenland as a “strategic goldmine for the United States,” emphasizing its geopolitical significance and wealth of natural resources.
“It sits at the very top of the North Atlantic. It protects approaches to our own country – the Atlantic Ocean – so it is geographically very important,” Stavridis noted. He pointed out the potential riches of the region, which is abundant in rare minerals and likely possesses extensive oil and gas reserves.
“And it’s huge, a huge land mass. It’s three times the size of Texas,” he remarked, concurring with the host that Greenland is “almost a better deal than Alaska.”
Stavridis added that there is historical precedent for interest in Greenland: “We already almost bought Greenland. We almost bought it at the same time when we bought Alaska, back in the 1860s. So it’s not a crazy idea.”
He firmly rejected the notion of using “military force to attack Greenland or Denmark,” proposing instead that the US should engage economically to counteract the influence of Russia and China in the area.
“We could do an awful lot in terms of business, investment, box out the Russians, box out the Chinese, and work very closely with Greenland,” he suggested. He affirmed that while Greenland “doesn’t have to become the 51st state, but it could certainly be an economic objective for us.”
Trump first mentioned the idea of purchasing Greenland in 2019, a suggestion that was quickly dismissed by officials in Denmark and Greenland. He renewed interest in the acquisition last month, stating that owning the Arctic island is an “absolute necessity” for US security.
Greenland's prime minister, Mute Egede, who is pro-independence, has ruled out selling the island but expressed a willingness to “talk” with Trump, emphasizing their wish to be “the master of our own house.”
Despite Denmark's rejection of Trump's proposal, there have been discussions about enhancing the US military presence in Greenland, which is home to an American base.
As a self-governing Danish territory since 1979, Greenland has been moving towards greater autonomy, maintaining its own government while Denmark retains authority over foreign affairs and defense.
Alejandro Jose Martinez contributed to this report for TROIB News
During his appearance on ‘The Cats Roundtable’ with John Catsimatidis on WABC 770 radio, the retired admiral referred to Greenland as a “strategic goldmine for the United States,” emphasizing its geopolitical significance and wealth of natural resources.
“It sits at the very top of the North Atlantic. It protects approaches to our own country – the Atlantic Ocean – so it is geographically very important,” Stavridis noted. He pointed out the potential riches of the region, which is abundant in rare minerals and likely possesses extensive oil and gas reserves.
“And it’s huge, a huge land mass. It’s three times the size of Texas,” he remarked, concurring with the host that Greenland is “almost a better deal than Alaska.”
Stavridis added that there is historical precedent for interest in Greenland: “We already almost bought Greenland. We almost bought it at the same time when we bought Alaska, back in the 1860s. So it’s not a crazy idea.”
He firmly rejected the notion of using “military force to attack Greenland or Denmark,” proposing instead that the US should engage economically to counteract the influence of Russia and China in the area.
“We could do an awful lot in terms of business, investment, box out the Russians, box out the Chinese, and work very closely with Greenland,” he suggested. He affirmed that while Greenland “doesn’t have to become the 51st state, but it could certainly be an economic objective for us.”
Trump first mentioned the idea of purchasing Greenland in 2019, a suggestion that was quickly dismissed by officials in Denmark and Greenland. He renewed interest in the acquisition last month, stating that owning the Arctic island is an “absolute necessity” for US security.
Greenland's prime minister, Mute Egede, who is pro-independence, has ruled out selling the island but expressed a willingness to “talk” with Trump, emphasizing their wish to be “the master of our own house.”
Despite Denmark's rejection of Trump's proposal, there have been discussions about enhancing the US military presence in Greenland, which is home to an American base.
As a self-governing Danish territory since 1979, Greenland has been moving towards greater autonomy, maintaining its own government while Denmark retains authority over foreign affairs and defense.
Alejandro Jose Martinez contributed to this report for TROIB News
