As President-elect Donald Trump pushes for the U.S. to acquire Greenland from Denmark, politicians from both sides of the aisle say more security around the Arctic is needed.
"There's no question that Russia is much more present up there and China's now raising their game, and they're acquiring property in Iceland," said Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., ranking member of the seapower subcommittee with the House Armed Services Committee, reported The Hill.
China and Russia have begun competing with the U.S. and NATO countries to access the natural regions in the Arctic. Greenland has minerals that can be used for electric vehicles, and China has invested heavily in the country, The Hill reported.
Trump has said purchasing Greenland is about national security. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, former chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said Denmark should spend more on the island's security.
"What he's saying is, like, 'Look, we got a base there. There are a lot of natural resources. And the Arctic is getting exploited by Russia and China,'" McCaul said.
Thule Air Base, built in 1951, provides installation support for vital space-based missions, is home to the Defense Department's northernmost deep-water port, and has a 10,000-foot runway. It is operated by the 821st Space Base Group, which works on force projection, space superiority, and scientific research in the Arctic region.
Courtney said the U.S. needs to build more icebreaker ships to control the Arctic rather than buy Greeland. The country entered into a pact with Finland and Canada to build more icebreakers. The Coast Guard operates only two icebreakers in the Arctic, while Russia has 41.
Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., ranking member of the Armed Services panel, said the U.S. should work more collaboratively with Denmark and Greenland.
"I think it is important. Russia and China certainly are involved in many strategic [areas]," Smith said. "I don't think owning Greenland is a strategic necessity, but certainly being engaged in that part of the world is important."
Sam Barron ✉
Sam Barron has almost two decades of experience covering a wide range of topics including politics, crime and business.
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