Greenland: Nice Place You Have Here…

Maybe a little more carrot and a little less stick is in order.

The 57,000 citizens of Greenland should hold out for payments of $5 million each, the price Trump plans to charge foreigners for US citizenship. The total price to acquire Greenland would be $285 billion, a bargain.

Andrew Troutman (View Post):

I can understand some of the reasons for Trump’s tariffs here and there, even though some of the language around them seems more belligerent than necessary, particularly when it involves traditional allies.

I understand the joke of Canada as the 51st state, which would be a horrible idea, and if I were Canadian I would be insulted.

Usha Vance is visiting Greenland, along with a group of officials, including Mike “Signal” Waltz, and J.D. announced he’s going with her. The visit has the feel of a mafia shakedown, with the President insisting “we need it,”

If I were a Greenlander, I would take it as a threat. As an American supporter of the President (mostly), I take it as a threat.

Seems to me a partnership, increased investment and a stronger military presence in Greenland would be a pretty easy bargain to make, without threatening a takeover. Why not reach out to the Prime Minister and schedule some security discussions? Heck, invite him to the White House for dinner. He’s probably tired of eating blubber anyway.

Am I wrong? Seems like this one would be easy to handle.

No, you're not wrong. Anders Puck Nielsen (a Dane) who posts some of the most clear-headed analyses of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, made that point early on. Trump would have had no more trouble than past presidents had in negotiating all the space we needed for more military bases in Greenland. And though Nielsen didn't make this exact point, Trump could have struck an especially good deal by pointing out the U.S. contribution to Denmark's and Greenland's defense in the weapons we have provided to Ukraine.

A safe assumption is that Trump is lying. Again. You may have noticed his obsession with underground mineral resources. That's more likely what he wants. Global warning is making them more accessible, and Trump wants 'em. I'll bet he could strike a good deal for them, too, if it was put in terms of cooperating with Denmark and Greenland on defense.

It's gotten to the point where the gift shop has asked Usha not to visit, so everything about the visit is being scaled back.

This is what they call an "own goal."

Subcomandante America (View Comment):

Andrew Troutman (View Post):

I can understand some of the reasons for Trump’s tariffs here and there, even though some of the language around them seems more belligerent than necessary, particularly when it involves traditional allies.

I understand the joke of Canada as the 51st state, which would be a horrible idea, and if I were Canadian I would be insulted.

Usha Vance is visiting Greenland, along with a group of officials, including Mike “Signal” Waltz, and J.D. announced he’s going with her. The visit has the feel of a mafia shakedown, with the President insisting “we need it,”

If I were a Greenlander, I would take it as a threat. As an American supporter of the President (mostly), I take it as a threat.

Seems to me a partnership, increased investment and a stronger military presence in Greenland would be a pretty easy bargain to make, without threatening a takeover. Why not reach out to the Prime Minister and schedule some security discussions? Heck, invite him to the White House for dinner. He’s probably tired of eating blubber anyway.

Am I wrong? Seems like this one would be easy to handle.

No, you’re not wrong. Anders Puck Nielsen (a Dane) who posts some of the most clear-headed analyses of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, made that point early on. Trump would have had no more trouble than past presidents had in negotiating all the space we needed for more military bases in Greenland. And though Nielsen didn’t make this exact point, Trump could have struck an especially good deal by pointing out the U.S. contribution to Denmark’s and Greenland’s defense in the weapons we have provided to Ukraine.

A safe assumption is that Trump is lying. Again. You may have noticed his obsession with underground mineral resources. That’s more likely what he wants. Global warning is making them more accessible, and Trump wants ’em. I’ll bet he could strike a good deal for them, too, if it was put in terms of cooperating with Denmark and Greenland on defense.

From what I've read, the sentiment in Greenland is for independence. Why not just show them the benefits of making a closer alliance as a sovereign country?

I don't understand the efficacy of the schoolyard bully technique.