President Donald Trump continues to pressure Denmark over control of Greenland, indicating he will provide details of a potential bilateral agreement within approximately two weeks. NATO and Danish officials have publicly stated that any transfer of Greenland's sovereignty is off the table, with Denmark emphasizing that discussions must respect the country's territorial integrity and Greenland's role in decision-making.
Against this backdrop, National Taiwan University Political Science Professor Ming Chu-cheng (明居正) talked with Storm Media about the calculations behind Trump's actions.
Why Trump Covets Greenland
As the largest island in the world, Greenland spans over two million square kilometers. Ming claimed that the island's abundant mineral deposits, oil reserves, and natural gas are of only minor interest to Trump. Rather, nuclear-armed powers in the Northern Hemisphere all covet Greenland as a strategic locale from which they can launch missiles and aircraft across the Arctic, allowing faster deployment and shorter transit times.
Despite lying nowhere near the Arctic, China launched its Arctic initiative approximately 30 years ago, establishing scientific research with the consent ofArctic nations such as Norway and Sweden. Such developments spur on Trump's anxiety to secure Greenland, Ming argued.
Denmark-China Cooperation Crosses American Red Lines
Ming argued that Trump's intentions for Greenland are part realpolitik, part imperialist. He noted that Denmark has maintained a formal strategic partnership for technological cooperation and academic exchanges with China since 2008, with the two countries cooperating across green energy, tech, shipping, and Arctic initiatives.
According to Ming, these Arctic initiatives have crossed the American red line, and Trump's recent push to annex Greenland is part of a broader pattern of targeting countries cooperating with China. （Related： AmCham Taiwan Chief: TSMC’s ‘Trust Advantage’ Is Key—But Power Risks Loom for Foreign Investors ｜ Latest ）
