Denmark’s Greenland dilemma: Defending a territory moving towards independence
Denmark is under pressure to defend Greenland from growing United States interest, even as the Arctic territory moves steadily towards full independence. The issue will be high on the agenda when US Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets Danish and Greenlandic leaders next week. Greenland has enjoyed greater autonomy since 1979 and a 2009 agreement recognises the right of its people to choose independence. All major parties on the island support eventual statehood, and the largest opposition party now wants to bypass Copenhagen and open direct talks with Washington. Analysts say President Donald Trump’s threat to take control of Greenland, by purchase or force, has triggered strong solidarity for Denmark in Europe. But it has also exposed a paradox, as Denmark spends diplomatic capital to protect a territory whose long term goal is to one day walk away. Greenland’s position […]
