A US Attack on Greenland Is 'Unthinkable,' Burns Says

Summary

Nicholas Burns, former US ambassador to China, discusses the Trump administration's pressure on Denmark over Greenland. Burns argues that a US attack on Greenland would end NATO, though he sees the probability of an actual attack as low, and that the repeated force-on-the-table rhetoric is damaging the alliance. He says the US could achieve its goals without invading or buying Greenland, since Denmark welcomes a larger American military presence and US investment in rare earth and critical materials mining, and he calls Secretary Rubio's upcoming meeting with the Danish foreign minister a positive step.

• Denmark's prime minister warned a US attack on Greenland would end NATO.
• Burns calls an American attack on Greenland unthinkable and low-probability.
• Trump, Rubio and the White House press secretary have all said force is on the table.
• Burns says the US does not need to invade or purchase Greenland to get what it wants.
• Denmark welcomes a bigger American military presence on Greenland.
• Denmark welcomes US private or government investment in rare earth and critical materials mining.
• Burns praises the planned Rubio meeting with the Danish foreign minister as better than a war of words.
• The episode is geopolitical commentary with no specific investable securities discussed.