Trump’s National Security Adviser Pick Mike Waltz Says Greenland Key To U.S. Security Amid President-Elect’s Takeover Remarks

US Congressman Mike Waltz has emphasised the importance of Greenland to the United States’ national security.

This statement comes after President-elect Donald Trump suggested that the US should take control of the island. Waltz, who’s been chosen as Trump’s national security adviser, discussed Trump’s proposal during an interview with Fox News.

Greenland’s strategic location makes it a critical part of America’s security architecture. The island is situated in North America, and its proximity to the US and Canada is significant.

Historically, the US has maintained a military presence in Greenland, particularly at Thule Air Base, which serves as a crucial early warning radar and satellite tracking station for protecting the US homeland.

The US has a vested interest in preserving its relationship with Greenland, especially as the Arctic region becomes increasingly important for national security, energy, and economic opportunities.

“You have Russia that is trying to become king of the Arctic, with 60-plus ice breakers, some of them nuclear power,” Reuters quoted him as saying. “We have two, and one just caught on fire.”

Waltz added, “This is about critical minerals. This is about natural resources. This is about, as the polar ice caps pullback, the Chinese are now cranking out ice breakers and pushing up there as well. So it’s oil and gas. It’s our national security.”

Trump, set to take office on January 20, has left the door open for using military or economic means to acquire Greenland, a self-governing territory under Denmark.

This isn’t Trump’s first attempt to purchase the island; he previously suggested buying Greenland during his first term, but Denmark rejected the offer. Greenland’s Prime Minister, Mute Egede, has also made it clear that the island is not up for sale.

Despite this, Greenland’s government is acknowledging the shifting security landscape in the Arctic. They’re looking forward to collaborating with the incoming Trump administration and other NATO allies to ensure regional security and stability.

This development highlights the complex dynamics at play in the Arctic, where geopolitical interests, economic opportunities, and environmental concerns intersect.

Greenland, an integral part of NATO due to Denmark’s membership, lies on the shortest route between Europe and North America. It holds strategic importance for the U.S. military and its ballistic missile early-warning system.