A cross-party delegation of US lawmakers is set to travel to Denmark this week amid renewed controversy over President Donald Trump’s comments about acquiring Greenland. The Arctic territory, which governs itself but remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark, is home to a US military airbase.
The group will be headed by Democratic Senator Chris Coons and will include Republican Senator Thom Tillis, along with Democratic Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Dick Durbin, as well as several members of the US House of Representatives, according to a statement released Monday by Coons’ office.
Why it matters
Lawmakers from both major US parties said last week that the Senate is likely to consider legislation designed to limit Trump’s authority to pursue any attempt to take control of Greenland from Denmark, a close and long-standing American ally.
Trump has repeatedly argued that US ownership of Greenland is necessary to prevent Russia or China from gaining a foothold in the strategically important, resource-rich Arctic region. He has also claimed that the current US military presence on the island does not provide sufficient security.
“We’re going to get Greenland one way or another,” Trump has said, though he has indicated a preference for negotiating an agreement with Denmark.
Both Danish officials and Greenland’s leadership have firmly stated that the territory is not for sale. Despite this, Trump has refused to rule out the use of force. Denmark and the United States—both members of NATO—are expected to hold discussions on the matter later this week.
Key quotes
“As co-chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group, it’s essential that Congress presents a united front in backing our allies and honoring the sovereignty of Denmark and Greenland,” said Senator Tillis.
Senator Durbin added that Trump’s ongoing rhetoric toward Greenland is “unwarranted and risks undermining the strength of the NATO alliance.”
According to Coons’ office, the delegation will be in Copenhagen on Friday and Saturday.
Competing bills
On Monday, Republican Representative Randy Fine introduced legislation titled the Greenland Annexation and Statehood Act, which would authorize Trump to formally annex Greenland if enacted.
Meanwhile, Democratic Representative Jimmy Gomez is drafting an alternative proposal—the Greenland Sovereignty Protection Act—that would prohibit the use of federal funding for any effort to seize control of the territory.
Context
Although Trump has raised the idea of acquiring Greenland in the past, alarm has grown following his recent order authorizing a lethal US military operation in Venezuela aimed at capturing the country’s former leader, Nicolás Maduro. Maduro was later transported to New York, where he remains in custody.
