EU wants to expand cooperation with Greenland despite Trump's claims

The EU wants to expand its cooperation with Greenland regardless of US President Donald Trump's claims for control. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived on Sunday for a two-day visit to the resource-rich Arctic island. A new EU-Greenland declaration is to be signed there this Monday. Investment commitments in the three-digit million range are also expected.

Von der Leyen said upon her arrival that the aim was to further consolidate a unique partnership. “We are family,” she wrote on social networks.

Von der Leyen was received at Nuuk airport by Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. Greenland is largely autonomous, but is part of the territory of the EU member state Denmark.

Trump wants Greenland for the USA

Von der Leyen's visit is explosive because the USA, citing security interests, is laying claims to Greenland and wants to force a sale of the huge island. President Trump argues that Denmark cannot protect the world's largest island from Russia and China. In addition, the territory with just under 57,000 inhabitants is also interesting because of its extensive reserves of critical raw materials.

Trump last renewed his control claims on Greenland in July and also linked them to the current review of the US troop presence in Europe. Accordingly, the USA could reduce its contribution to deterring Russia if it does not reach a good agreement on the future of Greenland.

Future of Rutte deal is unclear

It remained unclear recently whether Trump still sees himself bound by an agreement brokered by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in January. This actually intended to ensure security in the Arctic through the joint action of the Allies, in particular through that of the seven Arctic Allies: the USA, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland.

According to information from NATO circles, the USA should also be allowed to expand its military presence in Greenland and may also have the right to have a say in certain investments.