🔗 Share this article A Top Trump Aide Intensifies Assertions Regarding the Acquisition of the Arctic Territory One of Donald Trump’s senior advisors has increased tensions on the Danish government by questioning Copenhagen’s claim to Greenland. Force Deemed Unnecessary Stephen Miller, also claimed military intervention would not be necessary to take over the northern landmass because “nobody is going to fight the United States in combat over the fate of Greenland”. “The idea of military action against Greenland? Its population numbers just a population of 30,000 people,” Miller inaccurately claimed, the correct number being closer to 57,000. He also suggested that Copenhagen lacks a valid claim to the region, which is a one-time colonial possession and remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Growing Tensions Miller’s comments come amid growing tensions between the US and Denmark after the American leader's repeated interest to acquire Greenland. A key parliamentary committee in Denmark has convened an emergency session to examine the bilateral ties with the United States. Speaking to media, Miller told CNN that dominion of the island could be achieved without military intervention due to its small population. Questioning Danish Sovereignty “The real question is what right does Denmark have to assert control over Greenland? What is the basis of their ownership claim?” he asked. He added: “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 incorporated into the United States.” He stated there was “no requirement to even consider or discuss” a armed takeover in Greenland, adding: “Nobody is going to fight the US militarily.” International Reactions These statements followed Trump remarked recently, fresh from events in Venezuela, that the US needed Greenland “very badly”. The Danish prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, responded by warning that an American aggression against a NATO ally would mean the collapse of the military alliance and “post-Second World War security”. The island's own leader, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, issued a forceful rebuke, urging Trump to abandon his “notions of acquisition” and labeled American rhetoric of being “completely and utterly unacceptable”. Background and Present Position The aide's assertions were preceded by his wife, podcaster Katie Miller, posted a digital image of Greenland draped in a US flag with the caption “IN THE NEAR FUTURE”. When questioned on the online image, he laughed and said: “This has represented the formal position of the US government since the start of this presidency... The president has been very clear about that.” The territory was under colonial rule until 1953, when it became part of the kingdom of Denmark. The US has had a strategic installation there, critical to its ballistic missile early warning system. Recently, there has been growing support for Greenlandic independence, especially following revelations about historical policies of Greenlandic people. However, facing the spectre of Trump’s threat, Greenland in March formed a new unity government in a show of national unity, with its agreement stating: “Greenland belongs to us.”