Trump's bid to take over Greenland sparks outrage among European leaders, with Denmark's former NATO ambassador Michael Zilmer-Johns calling it a "total affront" to an ally that has stood by the US in conflicts around the world. The move is seen as a classic example of American imperialism, with Zilmer-Johns likening it to the country's historical approach to decolonization and its efforts to expand its influence in the Western Hemisphere.
According to Zilmer-Johns, Greenland has "everything it needs for its security" already, with the US having a significant military presence on the island. The Danish diplomat expressed frustration that the Trump administration would even consider taking the territory by force, saying it's "absurd to have two NATO countries at war with each other".
The potential takeover has sparked tensions between Denmark and the US, with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warning that if Trump attacked Denmark to take Greenland, it would be the end of NATO. Zilmer-Johns shares this concern, but remains hopeful that a pragmatic solution can be found.
Greenland's independence is seen as crucial to its own security, but the small island nation lacks the military capabilities to defend itself against larger powers like China and Russia. The US has previously offered to buy Greenland from Denmark for $12-13 billion, but Zilmer-Johns dismisses this idea as "out of the question".
As the Trump administration continues to push its security strategy in the region, European leaders are sounding the alarm on American imperialism. With its aggressive approach to expansion and its disdain for international cooperation, the US is walking a fine line between great power and imperial overreach.
According to Zilmer-Johns, Greenland has "everything it needs for its security" already, with the US having a significant military presence on the island. The Danish diplomat expressed frustration that the Trump administration would even consider taking the territory by force, saying it's "absurd to have two NATO countries at war with each other".
The potential takeover has sparked tensions between Denmark and the US, with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warning that if Trump attacked Denmark to take Greenland, it would be the end of NATO. Zilmer-Johns shares this concern, but remains hopeful that a pragmatic solution can be found.
Greenland's independence is seen as crucial to its own security, but the small island nation lacks the military capabilities to defend itself against larger powers like China and Russia. The US has previously offered to buy Greenland from Denmark for $12-13 billion, but Zilmer-Johns dismisses this idea as "out of the question".
As the Trump administration continues to push its security strategy in the region, European leaders are sounding the alarm on American imperialism. With its aggressive approach to expansion and its disdain for international cooperation, the US is walking a fine line between great power and imperial overreach.