US President Donald Trump's threat to impose tariffs on eight European countries over their positions on Greenland is his most dangerous and destructive move, writes John Bolton, former national security adviser in Trump's first term, for the British Telegraph.
The threat is unprecedented, unreasonable and contrary to fundamental American interests, he adds.
Bolton and Trump parted ways in September 2019 after a series of clashes over policies toward North Korea, Iran, Afghanistan and Russia. After leaving the White House, he became one of Trump's most vocal critics.
In addition to showing historical ignorance and incoherence, Trump's social media posts have incalculable consequences for relations with allies, the NATO alliance, and the credibility of the United States. Many Trump supporters have downplayed his outbursts by saying, "That's just how he talks." Others say Trump should be taken "seriously, but not literally," but none of those interpretations can mitigate his statements, Bolton says.
The strategic importance of the Arctic
There is reason to be concerned about the security of Greenland and all NATO territories surrounding the Arctic Ocean. The High North has become a NATO soft spot, much like Winston Churchill described the Mediterranean in World War II. Russia is already an Arctic power, and China intends to become one. One scenario that Beijing is certainly considering is the passage of a Chinese flotilla through the Bering Strait and the Arctic Ocean into the Atlantic Ocean, Bolton writes.
The US, Canada, Denmark, Norway and all of NATO have a strong interest in building up joint defense efforts along the Arctic coast. This includes serious efforts to monitor incursions by Russian and Chinese surface and underwater vessels, as well as their aerial surveillance via satellites, drones and even "weather" balloons.
This is less about a hostile invasion, which Trump sees as imminent, and more about gathering intelligence to protect against future belligerent activity. More immediate concerns are about attempts by Beijing and Moscow to buy control of Greenland through "Belt and Road"-style financial initiatives, as they have done in South Asia, Africa and Latin America, Bolton added, as reported by index.hr.
Possible solutions through cooperation
All of these issues can be resolved through negotiations among NATO allies and do not require American sovereignty over Greenland or military or economic coercion. While Bolton says he would be delighted if Greenlanders could freely vote to join the United States, he believes Trump's behavior has made that impossible. There are a number of alternatives, starting with the 1951 U.S.-Danish "Greenland Defense Treaty."
Under the agreement, Washington can request the construction of military facilities in Greenland. Danish officials say they don't understand why Trump doesn't request it, as they are prepared to agree. The agreement builds on previous patterns of cooperation; for example, during World War II, America had 17 military bases in Greenland, and during the Cold War, the island was crucial for early warning of Soviet ballistic missiles.
Domestic politics and consequences
Disagreement with Trump among Republicans in Congress has grown significantly. Bolton believes that attempting to implement tariffs would spark a "Republican rebellion." He also expresses hope that the Supreme Court will declare most of Trump's tariffs invalid or unconstitutional.
If Trump is not stopped, relations between Washington, London and other allied capitals could deteriorate dramatically, ultimately leading to a decrease in security in a world facing increasing threats.
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