Donald Trump wants to acquire Greenland for the USA. Eight countries sent army to the island as part of Denmark's efforts to expand its training activities in the Arctic, in cooperation with NATO allies. These countries have offended the president of the United States, who wants to impose additional tariffs on them in retaliation.
How many soldiers and from what countries are currently stationed in Greenland? The BBC checked it out.
EU troops in Greenland, or Donald Trump's “blacklist”.
The rest of the article below the video:
Denmark
Danish authorities did not confirm how many additional troops were sent to Greenland, but said Denmark was “strengthening its presence” on the island.
Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark. On Wednesday Soldiers and the army chief arrived on an Arctic island. The visit of the head of the Danish army (land forces), General Peter Boysen, to Greenland is commented as unusual, because commanders of this rank rarely visit the Arctic.
Greenland
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Adam Ziemienowicz / PAP / photos
Germany
A German government spokesman said a 15-person team had been dispatched, consisting of “experts from the Combined Forces Command, Army, Air Force and Navy.” The team included “specialists in logistics, infrastructure and planning, as well as pilots and sailors.”
Sweden
The Swedish government told BBC Verify that three military officers had been sent and “there are no plans for them to return to Sweden at this time.”
Netherlands
The Dutch government confirmed that two naval officers took part in the reconnaissance and provided operational and logistical expertise. “They completed their work as planned. They are leaving Greenland today (Monday – ed.).”
Norway
The Norwegian government said two officers were sent to “assess opportunities for further cooperation with allies to strengthen security in the Arctic. […] Preliminary planning work has already been completed and we plan for staff to return to Norway this week.”
Finland
The Finnish government also sent two officers on a “fact-finding mission to investigate the feasibility of conducting exercises.”
Great Britain
Defense Secretary John Healey announced on January 14 that “at the request of the Danish Government, one British Army officer is part of the reconnaissance group.”
The Ministry of Defense says it is currently unable to comment on whether the officer is still in Greenland.
France
Initial reports suggested sending 15 soldiers outside the country. However, neither the Ministry of Defense nor the Chancellery of the President confirmed this number.
Poland will not send troops to Greenland
Poland does not intend to send troops to Greenland – assured Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
In an interview with Onet political scientist and diplomat prof. Roman Kuźniar assessed that Poland may lose in the eyes of Europe by refusing to engage militarily in Greenland. “The fact that the government does not have the courage to send Polish soldiers to Greenland is the president's business, it is his 'merit'. Because he is in the service of American business, and this business is keen on Greenland,” he said.
Crisis around Greenland. Who is Donald Trump threatening with tariffs?
US President Donald Trump announced that from February 1 he would impose a 10% tax. tariffs on all goods imported from eight European countries if they oppose his proposed takeover of Greenland.
These countries are: Great Britain, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland — all belonging to NATO. It is also a “blacklist” of countries that have sent troops to Greenland in the last week.
Trump announced that tariffs would increase to 25%. from June 1 if an agreement to purchase the island by the United States is not finalized.
Moreover, the US president made a threat imposition of 200 percent tariffs on French wine and champagne after French President Macron rejected Trump's invitation to join his Peace Council.
Source: BBC, Onet, Business Insider Polska
