Donald Trump always wants more. For 75 years, however, the United States has been able to pretty much do whatever it wants in Greenland. In 1951, the Kingdom of Denmark, which controls the world's largest island, granted Americans the right to build military bases, airports and ports in this vast area covered with ice. Americans also have the right to fly their flag over bases and to import consumer products by plane without paying customs duties for their soldiers stationed on the island. They are still present at the Pituffik space base [dawniej baza lotnicza Thule] specializing in surveillance, located in the north-west of Greenland.
But this apparently isn't enough for Donald Trump. Instead of simply restarting the more than 30 idle military bases the United States maintained in Greenland during the Cold War, he is openly considering a military offensive. Kalaallit Nunaat, name given by 57 thousand. inhabitants of Greenland to their homeland, is of interest to the President of the United States not only for strategic reasons, but also because of its resources of rare earth metals. However, if Trump actually decides to attack the island, his soldiers may face an unpleasant surprise.
Greenland does not have its own army, but several hundred soldiers from Danish special forces, several warships and modern drones under the command of the Joint Arctic Command of Major General Soren Andersen are on guard around the clock. Donald Trump probably believes Andersen and his men would immediately lay down their weapons if attacked [najpotężniejszych sił zbrojnych świata]. But [jeśli naprawdę tak sądzi] the president of the united states is very wrong. The Danes, descendants of the warrior Vikings, will not give up so easily.
Greenland defenders to 'not wait for orders'
“We have a plan to defend Greenland,” Soren Andersen said in an interview with the Wall Street Journal. Even if the attackers were Americans. The commander, of course, did not want to provide more details about his defensive tactics. However, according to the royal decree of March 6, 1952, which is still in force – “Kongelige anordning No. 63” – his soldiers must “fight immediately and not wait for orders” in the event of an attack on the “green island”.
Of course, this resistance would probably end in failure. However, the Danes will want to make a good impression. The main goal of major military exercises Arctic Light [ang. Arktyczne światło] conducted in Greenland in September 2025 was to show the Americans that the country was ready to face all possible attack scenarios. At least that's what experts told CNN.
Last year, Denmark significantly increased its military investments. However, it has little artillery ammunition because Copenhagen has transferred most of its supplies to Ukraine. Sirius Special Unit (Slaedepatruljen Sirius)i.e. an elite Danish naval unit that [uzbrojona] patrols the eastern – very steep – coast of Greenland using dog sleds, and is currently recruiting new members.
Dog sled belonging to the Sirius Special Unit, Greenland, February 13, 2008.PAP/Alamy / PAP
Meeting with Marco Rubio
American soldiers who attacked Greenland would probably not have to fear much resistance from the civilian population. Unlike the Baltic countries, where citizens are legally obliged to resist invaders at all costs, in Greenland there are no laws obliging them to defend their lands. According to recent surveys, 85 percent the inhabitants of Greenland are against the American occupation. Another thing is that they couldn't do much to resist. The island's vast, forestless areas are not conducive to guerrilla warfare.
This week, representatives of Denmark and Greenland plan to meet with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to bury the hatchet in the eternal ice. Meanwhile, Danish troops are stepping up drills in Greenland, ironically on converted former American bases that the Republican billionaire has suddenly looked at with more interest.
