‘We are actually talking about a war’ if U.S. invades Greenland: Danish MP

Greenland's Sovereignty and Inalienable Rights [00:14]

• Greenland is a self-governing region of Denmark, and its citizens explicitly do not wish to become part of the United States or be governed by it.
• Denmark views the proposal to purchase Greenland as akin to the US being asked to hand over Alaska or Hawaii to another country, an act they deem impossible.
• The idea of "selling off people" is compared to practices from the 1800s, which is no longer acceptable, and Denmark feels a duty to protect its citizens.
• Denmark wishes to maintain good terms with the United States, emphasizing their long-standing alliance and friendship throughout US history.
• Despite the pressure, Denmark cannot yield to a demand to hand over part of its country.

"We can't just, you know, sell off people like we're in the 1800s. We don't do that anymore and we have to protect them."

Denmark's Defense of Greenland and Arctic Presence [01:52]

• Denmark does not wish to use military force in this situation but actively defends Greenland against external threats, primarily from Russia in the Arctic.
• Both China and Russia have been effectively kept out of Greenland, with no significant activities, control, or ownership in the region.
• The US can be assured that Denmark will continue to prevent foreign powers from gaining a foothold in Greenland.
• A hypothetical scenario of Russia or China attempting to take over Greenland would prompt Denmark to seek assistance, but this is not the current situation.
• A military confrontation with the United States would be a "disaster" for Denmark, acknowledging the significant size difference and military disparity.

"And if we were afraid that China or Russia were about to take over Greenland, we would call for help. But that's not the situation."

US Military Access and Economic Rationale [03:43]

• Denmark hopes to discuss with the US what specific benefits they believe they would gain from Greenland that they do not already possess.
• The United States already enjoys complete and full military access to Greenland, having previously maintained around 30 bases and 15,000 soldiers.
• Current US military presence focuses on a single base monitoring missile launches from Russia in case of nuclear attack.
• Denmark is open to the US expanding its military presence, including re-occupying existing bases and facilities.
• The offer extends to potential US mining projects, with Denmark willing to discuss such opportunities, but not at the cost of sovereignty.

"Because the thing is that the United States already has complete and full military access to Greenland."

Danish Perspective on US Actions and Alliance Values [05:02]

• US lawmakers have expressed concern, and Danish members of parliament have been approached, but no specific promises were made regarding congressional restraint on the President.
• Denmark hopes the American public and Congress will reconsider the proposal, as the current actions are unrecognizable to them.
• The proposal challenges the perception of the US as a nation that does not subjugate people or govern in an imperialistic style.
• Denmark has been a loyal friend to the US for 250 years and views the threat of military invasion as strange and unexpected.
• The historical partnership includes Denmark's significant contribution after 9/11, with a higher per capita casualty rate than many other nations.

"And US isn't a country that goes out to subjugate people and take away their freedom and try to sort of govern them in in an imperialistic style."

Economic Repercussions and Danish Principles [06:44]

• Denmark's economy would not be significantly affected by potential US tariffs, and their position on Greenland would not change regardless of economic pressure.
• Denmark states they will not sell Greenland "at any price," emphasizing that the issue is not financial.
• The principle of self-governance is paramount, with Greenlanders being the ones to run their society.
• Greenlanders choose to remain with Denmark and do not wish to be replaced by a nation that would "own them" and take away their freedom or dreams of independence.
• Denmark contributes significantly to defense, exceeding 3% of its GDP, matching US spending, and is a leading contributor to the fight against Russia in Ukraine.

"This is not for us a matter of money. Uh we're not going to sell green and at any price and it also means it doesn't matter uh if tariffs or any other economic uh pressure is put on us."