2026 US-Denmark Tensions/End of NATO

[GR66]

The fundamental problem with this plan is that's built on the idea that there is in fact a coherent defence need for the US that it does not already have the ability to address. There are already long standing agreements that give the US an enormous amount of freedom and control in establishing and maintaining forces there, with the Cold War numbers exceeding 10,000 that included forced resettlement of locals, numerous bases, nuclear weapons, so on and so forth. The US made the decision to draw all those down, if it feels there is a need for expanded forces it can do so. This in addition to current and expanding Danish defence efforts.

Trump wants Greenland because of ego reasons (looks good on a map, he thinks it'll make him look powerful for expanding US territory, what have you) or because he thinks he/the US can make money by exploiting natural resources, likely without any consideration for how difficult exploiting some of those resources might actually be.

The key to understanding Trump on this is to remember that his background is in real estate. You don't renovate a property that you're renting. In Trump's mind the US needs Greenland for defence due to its strategic location. Just like he bristles at spending to have US forces in Europe to protect NATO he bristles at the thought of spending US money to defend Danish ruled Greenland. If Greenland was part of the US the money spent would be spent domestically for domestic defence purposes...not spent on another country.

 

[ArmyRick]

No need to fight Americans. Let them fight themselves. It’s how Rome eventually fell. Civil wars and infighting.

My opinion on this. Reality check, we will collapse as a nation long before the modern Rome does (USA), and if the USA does manage to fold in on itself, I guarantee the results for us would be devastating.

Or does any of that matter to you? Would it be acceptable for Canada to suffer or implode as long as America is destroyed?

 

[Baz]

The key to understanding Trump on this is to remember that his background is in real estate. You don't renovate a property that you're renting. In Trump's mind the US needs Greenland for defence due to its strategic location. Just like he bristles at spending to have US forces in Europe to protect NATO he bristles at the thought of spending US money to defend Danish ruled Greenland. If Greenland was part of the US the money spent would be spent domestically for domestic defence purposes...not spent on another country.

Except he doesn’t understand that wasn’t exactly what was happening. There were lot’s of benefits to the relationship he doesn’t get. By being the alpha dog in NATO they also ran the place (from personal experience at SHAPE).

I also can’t figure out whether he doesn’t understand the difference between NATO funding and National defence budgets, or he does understand and deliberately misrepresents it.

The expectation that everybody else spends the same relative amount as the US does is silly, since no one else has aspirations to exert control over the rest of the world and pisses a lot of people off doing so. Yet they sell it as defending the world, instead of what it really is, creating the conditions for American style capitalism. Especially to their own citizens.

 

[brihard]

Trump today: Anything less than Greenland “in the hands of the United States” is “unacceptable”.



Hopefully he doesn’t follow through, or something stops him… But not taking the threat seriously at this point would utterly foolish.

 

[Remius]

Trump today: Anything less than Greenland “in the hands of the United States” is “unacceptable”.

View attachment 97811

Hopefully he doesn’t follow through, or something stops him… But not taking the threat seriously at this point would utterly foolish.

I’m sure someone will be around to tell everyone to calm down…

 

[Remius]

My opinion on this. Reality check, we will collapse as a nation long before the modern Rome does (USA), and if the USA does manage to fold in on itself, I guarantee the results for us would be devastating.

Based on what? We are nowhere near the division south of us. That meth lab is on fire. The areas around Rome felt the collapse and adapted. We’ll do the same if it comes to that. Our system is far more resilient than you give it credit for.

Or does any of that matter to you? Would it be acceptable for Canada to suffer or implode as long as America is destroyed?

Your opinion doesn’t really matter to me no. But I side with Harper’s take on it. We may have to suffer to get through the mess that country is currently creating. I’d rather it not but I’d sooner see them implode on themselves before they made any theoretical moves on our sovereignty.

 

[daftandbarmy]

Trump today: Anything less than Greenland “in the hands of the United States” is “unacceptable”.

View attachment 97811

Hopefully he doesn’t follow through, or something stops him… But not taking the threat seriously at this point would utterly foolish.

Which reminds me of a quote:

"Everyone who wants to do good to the human race always ends in universal bullying."

Aldous Huxley

 

[Czech_pivo]

Based on what? We are nowhere near the division south of us. That meth lab is on fire. The areas around Rome felt the collapse and adapted. We’ll do the same if it comes to that. Our system is far more resilient than you give it credit for.

Your opinion doesn’t really matter to me no. But I side with Harper’s take on it. We may have to suffer to get through the mess that country is currently creating. I’d rather it not but I’d sooner see them implode on themselves before they made any theoretical moves on our sovereignty.

If they implode then we need to be a right nasty Honey Badger pretty damn quick.

 

[GR66]

Except he doesn’t understand that wasn’t exactly what was happening. There were lot’s of benefits to the relationship he doesn’t get. By being the alpha dog in NATO they also ran the place (from personal experience at SHAPE).

I also can’t figure out whether he doesn’t understand the difference between NATO funding and National defence budgets, or he does understand and deliberately misrepresents it.

The expectation that everybody else spends the same relative amount as the US does is silly, since no one else has aspirations to exert control over the rest of the world and pisses a lot of people off doing so. Yet they sell it as defending the world, instead of what it really is, creating the conditions for American style capitalism. Especially to their own citizens.

I'm definitely not saying I agree with Trump on this and totally agree that the position of US dominance has been the intentional policy of the US Governments from the end of WWII up to Trump. I'm simply suggesting how his real estate background may help explain his overly simplistic view of the situation.

 

[Czech_pivo]

I'm definitely not saying I agree with Trump on this and totally agree that the position of US dominance has been the intentional policy of the US Governments from the end of WWII up to Trump. I'm simply suggesting how his real estate background may help explain his overly simplistic view of the situation.

Someone told him that owning Greenland is like owning Boardwalk and Park Place in Monopoly and he's now on it.

 

[GR66]

Someone told him that owning Greenland is like owning Boardwalk and Canada is like owning Park Place in Monopoly and he's now on it.

FTFY

 

[ArmyRick]

Based on what? We are nowhere near the division south of us. That meth lab is on fire. The areas around Rome felt the collapse and adapted. We’ll do the same if it comes to that. Our system is far more resilient than you give it credit for.

Your opinion doesn’t really matter to me no. But I side with Harper’s take on it. We may have to suffer to get through the mess that country is currently creating. I’d rather it not but I’d sooner see them implode on themselves before they made any theoretical moves on our sovereignty.

I stand by everything I said. Your more than free to disagree with it.

Canada is far rougher shape than the USA. And if the USA goes down, so will we. Its cool, you don't agree, thats why their are called opinions.

f they implode then we need to be a right nasty Honey Badger pretty damn quick.

We are too damn busy honey badgering each other in Canada.

 

[MacNav63]

Germany, France Norway and Sweden reportedly to send forces to Greenaland.

Denmark to expand Greenland military presence as White House talks take place - live updates

US Vice-President JD Vance hosted ministers from Denmark and Greenland to discuss the Arctic territory's future.

www.bbc.com

Germany, France, Sweden and Norway to contribute to military presence - Denmarkpublished at 12:51
12:51​

Some more now from the new statement issued by the Danish armed forces.

"From today, there will be an expanded military presence in and around Greenland", it says.

This will see an increase "comprising aircraft, vessels and soldiers, including from Nato allies." Further down the statement, it names some of the Nato countries that will contribute as Germany, France, Sweden and Norway.

It adds that the government of Greenland and the Danish ministry of defence will "continue to collaborate closely" on this to "ensure local involvement".

Greenland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Research Vivan Motzfeldt says that it is a "core priority" that Greenland's security and defence "are strengthened, that this is achieved in close cooperation with our Nato allies."

The Danish Minister for Defence Troels Lund Poulsen says that “security in the Arctic is of crucial importance" to Denmark and, together with Arctic and European allies, the country "will explore in the coming weeks how an increased presence and exercise activity in the Arctic can be implemented in practice".

 

[Altair]

Germany, France Norway and Sweden reportedly to send forces to Greenaland.

Denmark to expand Greenland military presence as White House talks take place - live updates

US Vice-President JD Vance hosted ministers from Denmark and Greenland to discuss the Arctic territory's future.

www.bbc.com

Germany, France, Sweden and Norway to contribute to military presence - Denmarkpublished at 12:51​

12:51​

Some more now from the new statement issued by the Danish armed forces.

"From today, there will be an expanded military presence in and around Greenland", it says.

This will see an increase "comprising aircraft, vessels and soldiers, including from Nato allies." Further down the statement, it names some of the Nato countries that will contribute as Germany, France, Sweden and Norway.

It adds that the government of Greenland and the Danish ministry of defence will "continue to collaborate closely" on this to "ensure local involvement".

Greenland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Research Vivan Motzfeldt says that it is a "core priority" that Greenland's security and defence "are strengthened, that this is achieved in close cooperation with our Nato allies."

The Danish Minister for Defence Troels Lund Poulsen says that “security in the Arctic is of crucial importance" to Denmark and, together with Arctic and European allies, the country "will explore in the coming weeks how an increased presence and exercise activity in the Arctic can be implemented in practice".

Notably lacking...the UK.

That said, does Trump want to bomb and kill Dane, French, German, Norwegian and Swedish soldiers??

I for one thank Europe for putting on their big boy pants and doing the sane thing.

 

[Kirkhill]

Notably lacking...the UK.

That said, does Trump want to bomb and kill Dane, French, German, Norwegian and Swedish soldiers??

I for one thank Europe for putting on their big boy pants and doing the sane thing.

And how long will they stay there?

Until the Sino-Russian threat disappears? Or just until Trump disappears? My guess is that Northcom's appreciation of the value of such force will outlast Trump.

 

[Czech_pivo]

And how long will they stay there?

Until the Sino-Russian threat disappears? Or just until Trump disappears? My guess is that Northcom's appreciation of the value of such force will outlast Trump.

I'm wondering that by pulling assets away from some key NATO countries to Greenland will result in less assets from the 'Coalition of the Willing' to be able to position in Ukraine as a buffer force?

 

[lenaitch]

But yes, if Canada says no it does put NORAD in jeopardy. Which is not something either side wants; from the US point of view they lose Canadian airspace, so defensive depth. What happens to the northern radars would be anyone’s guess.

If, for whatever reason, NORAD dissolved and the US was denied partner access to Canadian airspace, do you honestly believe they would honour that? And do you honestly believe we could do anything about it if they continued to use our airspace 'for national security'?

 

[Altair]

And how long will they stay there?

The fact that they will be there is an amazing development. I will not let you sour this moment for me with your pessimistic outlook

Until the Sino-Russian threat disappears? Or just until Trump disappears? My guess is that Northcom's appreciation of the value of such force will outlast Trump.

Until the American threat disappears.

 

[brihard]

And how long will they stay there?

Until the Sino-Russian threat disappears? Or just until Trump disappears? My guess is that Northcom's appreciation of the value of such force will outlast Trump.

There is no meaningful Russia-Sino threat of occupation of Greenland. That’s make believe. Any moves towards presenting one would be hugely noticeable and easily defended again. The only meaningful and imminent threat to the territorial sovereignty of Greenland is coming from the U.S.

 

[Baz]

If, for whatever reason, NORAD dissolved and the US was denied partner access to Canadian airspace, do you honestly believe they would honour that? And do you honestly believe we could do anything about it if they continued to use our airspace 'for national security'?

That’s why my next paragraph:

Which leads to the bigger question: what would be the current US administration’s reaction to being told no.

I personally don’t believe they would honour it and would do whatever they wanted. I have no idea what they’d actually do. But it wouldn’t be NORAD anymore…