January 12, 2025 | Subscriber Exclusive | Dear reader, Welcome to the Premium Report! As a subscriber, you have exclusive access to our premium content. Our editorial team digs deep to present you with facts that matter, providing a unique perspective on the issues shaping our world. Meanwhile, our designers format it for you into a beautifully curated layout. We hope you enjoy it. | | Behind Trump's Greenland Comment, Years of Concern Over Growing China, Russia Influence | Both the Trump and Biden administrations have warned about rising risks in the Arctic over the last 8 years. | Illustration by The Epoch Times, Google Earth | WASHINGTON—President-elect Donald Trump's recent remarks about potentially using military or economic measures to control Greenland have sparked global concerns. While some view his comments as extreme, there is a longstanding consensus within the U.S. national security community that China's and Russia's growing influence in the Arctic is worrisome and demands immediate attention. Trump has made similar statements regarding the Panama Canal, expressing frustration over the growing influence of Chinese state-owned companies in its operations. "I'm not going to commit to that," Trump said on Jan. 7 when asked if he would rule out using military or economic coercion to control both Greenland and the Panama Canal. His comments during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago resort left many reporters puzzled, prompting repeated questions for clarification. He emphasized that the United States needs both regions for economic and national security reasons. One of the benefits of Trump's approach, whether intentional or not, is that it creates public discourse on issues that would typically be handled behind the scenes, Michael Walsh, a U.S. foreign policy expert, told The Epoch Times. "It stirs discussion and debate. And you're seeing that right now. You hear people on the metro talking about Greenland and Panama," Walsh said. For many, it's unclear whether Trump intends to use military force or if he's suggesting it as a negotiation tactic to change the status quo in both regions. "It could be a negotiating tactic—who knows?" Walsh added. However, he noted that understanding the context is important for the public to interpret Trump's remarks. "One of the problems with this whole narrative that's happening is that people don't understand the context. Even most political leaders don't understand the context," he said, referring to the rising risks in Greenland, the world's largest island. Walsh, who served as an adviser on Asia-Pacific security affairs for President Joe Biden's 2020 presidential campaign, highlighted U.S. concerns about the independence of Greenland and the Faroe Islands—two autonomous territories of Denmark. While Trump has only mentioned Greenland, the United States has been concerned about both territories, he noted. During Trump's first term, the State Department worked to deepen ties with both islands to counter Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic. These concerns persisted under Biden, who introduced an Arctic strategy in 2022 to counter growing competition, especially China's "Polar Silk Road." Walsh noted that both administrations share similar views on the risks in the region. | President-elect Donald Trump speaks to members of the media during a press conference at the Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Fla., on Jan. 7, 2025. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) | "There's not a huge daylight between the two administrations in terms of the assessment that there's a risk in the region," Walsh said. Despite Denmark being a close NATO ally, the United States fears that Denmark's influence over these islands could fade over time if they move toward independence. Over the past eight years, risks have grown, partly due to domestic political dynamics in Denmark regarding the islands. "The U.S. and Denmark have had a long-standing partnership, and it's worked really well," Walsh said. "I think that the concern is that they might not be the partner of the United States in Greenland or the Faroe Islands in the future, if they become independent." Danish foreign minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said on Jan. 8 that Greenland may become independent, but it's unlikely to become a U.S. state. "We fully recognize that Greenland has its own ambitions. If they materialize, Greenland will become independent, though hardly with an ambition to become a federal state in the United States," Rasmussen said. On Jan. 8, the government of Greenland also responded to Trump's comments, stating that "Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders" and that its future will be determined by its own people. However, Greenland expressed interest in strengthening ties with the United States, particularly in economic cooperation, mining, and development of its mineral resources. Greenland also emphasized its commitment to working with the United States and NATO allies to ensure security and stability in the Arctic, acknowledging the changing political dynamics in the region. "The Cabinet is looking forward to building relations with President-elect Donald Trump and his administration," the statement read. | Pituffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Base, a U.S. Space Force base located on the northwest coast in Greenland, on Oct. 4, 2023. (Thomas Traasdahl/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images) | Competition in the Arctic China in recent years has been ambitiously developing its commercial and military capabilities in the Arctic. In addition, Russian and Chinese warships are operating together more frequently in the region. "Greenland is important because the Arctic has become important," Gordon Chang, political commentator and China expert, told The Epoch Times. "And China and Russia are seeking to control the Arctic." The region was crucial during the Cold War because of the strategic sea lanes in the Atlantic, but after the Cold War, people largely forgot about their importance, Chang added. Warming trends are driving more activity in the Arctic, which could lead to both competition and tension in the region, according to a July report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Referencing 2008 estimates from the U.S. Geological Survey, the CSIS report emphasized the region's vast resources, including nearly 90 billion barrels of oil and 1,669 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. That represents about 22 percent of the world's undiscovered conventional oil and natural gas. The Arctic also has trillions of dollars worth of minerals, including silver, copper, gold, nickel, iron ore, and rare earth elements. In addition, Greenland is home to a large U.S. military base with missile warning and space-surveillance systems. Chang disagrees with Trump's suggestion of using military force to take over Greenland, saying there is no justification for that. He said that while the world isn't peaceful, with Russia and China already using force, Trump's comments could encourage more aggression globally. Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.), who was tapped to serve as Trump's national security adviser, defended Trump's remarks about Greenland. "This is about critical minerals. This is about natural resources," he told Fox News on Jan. 8. "The Chinese are now cranking out icebreakers and pushing up there as well. So, it's oil and gas. It's our national security." Waltz also said that Russia is "trying to become the king of the Arctic," pointing out that Russia have over 60 icebreakers, while the United States has only two—one of which had to return to home port last summer due to an electrical fire. | The Russian "50 Years of Victory" nuclear-powered icebreaker at the North Pole on Aug.18, 2021. Russia has over 60 icebreakers, while the United States only has two, according to Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.). (Ekaterina Anisimova/AFP via Getty Images) | Biden has remained silent about Trump's remarks so far. During a call with reporters on Jan. 8, John Kirby, spokesperson for the National Security Council, declined to comment directly, instead pointing to responses from foreign leaders. "It would not be appropriate for us to weigh in and cast judgment," he said, opting for a more measured answer rather than criticizing Trump's comments about allies. China's Dual-Use Infrastructure During his visit to Capitol Hill on Jan. 8, Trump was again questioned by reporters about the potential use of military force in Greenland. In response, he mentioned a recent trip to Greenland by his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr. "We got applause as we landed yesterday," the president-elect said, describing the reception as "like a love fest." Trump Jr. visited Greenland on Jan. 7 for a day trip, reportedly to shoot video content for podcasting. Trump also reiterated his criticism of the high fees Panama imposes on the United States and its navy, particularly considering that the United States originally constructed the Panama Canal. He also made it clear that he would not allow China to gain control over the strategically important waterway. Chinese companies, including Landbridge Group and Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings, currently operate terminals at both ends of the canal. Trump's comments about the Panama Canal reflect growing concern among U.S. politicians over China's expanding influence in Latin America. The State Department warned in 2022 that Beijing's acquisition of technologies, facilities, and infrastructure in Latin America may have dual purposes. | Donald Trump Jr. (2ndR) and conservative activist Charlie Kirk (R) pose for a group photo in Nuuk, Greenland, on Jan. 7, 2025. Trump made a private visit to Greenland, a Danish-owned territory his father, President-elect Donald Trump, has said the United States should acquire for national security purposes and which hopes to one day be independent. (Emil Stach/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images) | In July 2022, Gen. Laura Richardson, then-head of the U.S. Southern Command, raised concerns about Chinese state-owned companies operating ports on both sides of the Panama Canal, stating that these facilities could be turned quickly toward military capabilities. "I think we should be concerned, but this is a global problem," she said at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado. "This is the same playbook that they've used in Africa, Asia, Europe, it's not new." Trump, in recent social media posts, expressed frustration over China's expanding influence in the canal, despite it having been built by the United States more than 110 years ago at great financial and human cost. "Merry Christmas to all, including to the wonderful soldiers of China, who are lovingly, but illegally, operating the Panama Canal ... always making certain that the United States puts in Billions of Dollars in 'repair' money, but will have absolutely nothing to say about 'anything,'" Trump wrote on Dec. 25, referring to the Chinese regime's heavy influence over the waterway. In an earlier lengthy post on Dec. 21, Trump said that Panama, not China, should manage the 51-mile waterway. "I'm very glad that President Trump raised the issue because the Chinese, through various means, have the ability to block the canal in wartime," Chang said... | Subscribe to The Epoch Times to read the rest. Become a paying subscriber of The Epoch Times to get access to
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