A key figure from Donald Trump's senior advisors has increased tensions on the Danish government by challenging Copenhagen’s claim to the vast Arctic island.
The president’s deputy chief of staff, stated emphatically the use of armed force would not be required to assume control of the northern landmass because “no nation would engage the United States militarily over the future of Greenland”.
“The idea of military action against Greenland? Its population numbers just a population of 30,000 people,” he incorrectly stated, the correct number being closer to 57,000.
Miller further proposed that Denmark does not have a legitimate right to the territory, which is a one-time colonial possession and remains part of the Danish kingdom.
Miller’s comments follow a period of 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 discuss the bilateral ties with the United States.
In his interview, Miller asserted that control over Greenland could be gained without military intervention due to its small population.
“The core issue is what right does Denmark have to exercise sovereignty over Greenland? What legal foundation of their territorial claim?” Miller questioned.
He added: “As the leading power within the power of NATO. For the US to secure the Arctic region to safeguard the alliance, obviously Greenland should be incorporated into the United States.”
There was, he said “no requirement to even consider or discuss” a military operation in Greenland, reiterating: “Nobody is going to fight the US over this issue.”
These statements came after Trump remarked recently, fresh from other foreign policy actions, that the US desired the territory “very badly”.
Denmark's leader, Mette Frederiksen, reacted by saying that an attack by the US a NATO ally would mean the end of the military alliance and “the postwar security order”.
The island's own leader, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, issued a strong statement, calling on the US president to give up his “notions of acquisition” and accused the US of being “completely and utterly unacceptable”.
Miller’s comments were preceded by his wife, a conservative commentator, posted a map on social media of Greenland draped in a US flag with the caption “IN THE NEAR FUTURE”.
Asked about the online image, he responded by stating: “This has represented the formal position of the US government since the beginning of this administration... The president has been explicit about that.”
The territory was under colonial rule until 1953, when it became part of the Danish realm. The US maintains a military base there, critical to its ballistic missile early warning system.
Recently, there has been increasing sentiment for self-rule, particularly after disclosures about historical policies of the local population.
But amid the spectre of Trump’s threat, Greenland in March formed a new coalition government in a demonstration of solidarity, with its agreement stating: “Greenland belongs to us.”
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