FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Donald Trump is reportedly moving forward with his plan to gain more influence over Greenland, apparently aiming to ignore Denmark in the process.
Things have been quiet around Greenland lately. Or at least that's what it seems. In the first weeks after his return to the White House, Donald Trump regularly made it clear that he would like to annex the world's largest island to the United States. Even more media-focused was the official trip by US Vice President JD Vance in late March, when he visited the island and addressed the American troops stationed there.
Since then, Trump and his administration have focused largely on foreign policy in Ukraine and Gaza, but also on the Republican's alliances with partners in the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific. It may now seem that Greenland has slipped out of his focus. However, a report from Denmark now suggests that this conclusion is far from the truth.
Trump and Greenland, are talks planned without the Danish government?
Politiken newspaper reports that since April, Washington has been trying repeatedly to arrange a meeting with Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen. Apparently, this meeting will take place without the participation of the Danish government under Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
Since Greenland officially belongs to Denmark, representatives from Copenhagen are usually present at talks on foreign, security or defense issues. However, Trump's initiative is said to have been unsuccessful, with the Nielsen government reportedly rejecting the request for a bilateral meeting.
Politiken cites sources from the US, Greenland and Denmark. According to the report, the White House did not make any concrete statements about possible meetings in response to a written request, although it stressed the strategic importance of Greenland for the US. It remains unclear who would conduct the talks for the Trump administration.
The newspaper initially did not receive statements requested from Frederiksen or Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen. Trump's remarks about the annexation of Greenland had already caused concern in Copenhagen.
Could the US president gain access to Greenland through Novo Nordisk?
Meanwhile, the American magazine National Review sees a recent announcement by Trump as a possible key to realizing his ambitions regarding the island. In early November, the White House announced agreements with pharmaceutical companies Eli Lilly and Company and Novo Nordisk, which are expected to lead to significant price reductions for prescription drugs.
Prices for Ozempic and Wegovy, known as weight-loss injections, are expected to be cut by more than half to $245 a month. Individuals insured by Medicare will have to pay just $50 a month; taxpayers will cover the rest. Both drugs are made by Novo Nordisk, a Danish company. The report concludes that the company can expect a significant revenue stream.
This would also boost the Danish economy, which in turn would give Trump a strong negotiating position with Frederiksen in the Greenland talks. Novo Nordisk is entering a partial dependence on the US government-funded healthcare program, making the company, and ultimately all of Denmark, at the mercy of the 79-year-old's whims.
Moreover, the Copenhagen prime minister must keep her eyes open for the elections, which are less than a year away and are by no means certain. In the last municipal elections, Frederiksen's Social Democrats suffered significant losses. Polls for the parliamentary elections also show a decline, even if the ruling party remains in the clear lead.
This circumstance could also work in Trump's favor. "It's not hard to imagine Trump approaching the challenged prime minister with a deal," National Review writes.
"Trump agrees to maintain and perhaps even expand access to Novo Nordisk products. In return, Frederiksen gives Trump concessions regarding Greenland."
While Denmark is not expected to sell the island to the US, an expanded defense agreement, including a permanent US presence, is possible. Currently, about 150 US military personnel are said to be stationed at the Pituffik Space Base in the northwest. The two countries could also cooperate in developing Greenland's mineral resources. Trump may therefore be closer to increasing his influence on the island than has recently appeared. /Fr.de/
Lini një Përgjigje