How Denmark prepared for Trump’s potential invasion of Greenland

WorldPolitics
20 Mar 2026 • 8:23 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • Denmark prepared for a potential attack from the US on Greenland in January, deploying troops, explosives, and blood supplies.
  • Danish soldiers were tasked with destroying runways in Nuuk and Kangerlussuaq using explosives to prevent US military aircraft from landing if Donald Trump attempted to seize the island.
  • The preparations were a direct response to Donald Trump's fixation on Greenland's strategic location, its potential for controlling shipping, and its rich natural resources.
  • Danish officials reportedly faced "sleepless nights" due to Trump's thinly veiled threats, with a French official confirming their readiness to provide extensive support to Denmark.
  • The Trump administration's actions in Venezuela, including the arrest of President Nicolas Maduro, heightened concerns for Greenland and Denmark, leading them to take all scenarios seriously.

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