US Rep. Mike Haridopoulos says greater control over Greenland could be important for the US space industry – and in turn Florida.
The Indian Harbor Beach Republican said he is watching the president-elect closely Donald Trump’s push for the US to acquire the northern nation. While the freshman congressman did not discuss Trump’s suggestion that he might explore military intervention, he expressed confidence the incoming administration can strike a deal favorable to the U.S.
“This is exactly the kind of conversation America should be having right now, because it’s about improving American security and investing in our future,” Haridopolos told Florida Politics. “The Arctic will only become more important to global trade and national security in the coming decades, so America must be proactive in shaping its Arctic strategy.”
Haridopolos posted earlier this week one long thread on X about the US Space Force’s existing presence in Greenland. The military branch, which is launched during Trump’s first term as president, it seems Pituffik Space Force Base in northern Greenland. The “Top of the World” military installation exists as part of an agreement with Denmark and supports missile warning, missile defense and space surveillance work of the 821st Space Base Group.
“Pituffik (formerly Thule Air Base) is located above the Arctic Circle and is the northernmost US military installation,” Haridopolos wrote. “Its position gives us critical access to polar satellites, allowing us to monitor everything from weather patterns to missile launches.”
The base presence dates back to the Cold War and provides radar monitoring of missile activity in China and Russia.
The Space Force is also in the process of increasing its presence on Florida’s Space Coast, which Haridopolos represents. The agency announced it would do so permanently locate US Space Force Training and Readiness Command, or STARCOM, at Patrick Space Force Base at Cape Canaveral.
As Trump has repeatedly discussed annexation of Greenland and Canada, the Kremlin released another statement Reuters characterize all discussions as a “dramatic development”.
“The Arctic is a zone of our national interests, our strategic interests,” said Dmitry PeskovPress Secretary of the President of Russia Vladimir Putin. “We are interested in preserving the atmosphere of peace and stability in the Arctic zone.”
Haridopolos said it is critical that the United States have a strategic and tactical presence in Greenland. “America cannot afford to give up an inch in space or the Arctic,” he wrote. “Pituffik is proof that the Space Force is more than just a name, it is a critical part of ensuring our nation’s security now and into the future.”
Haridopolos told Florida Politics that he believes Trump will create a deal that is beneficial to the United States and the Danish government.
“President Trump is a great negotiator, and I think there is potential for a great deal to be done here that would advance US interests in the Arctic through Greenland while benefiting Denmark and the people of Greenland,” Haridopolos said. “I support President Trump in this endeavor, and I am eager to see this conversation continue.”
Haridopolos follows supportive comments from other members of Florida’s congressional delegation. US Sen. Rick Scott told Fox Business he supports the US pursuit of Greenland.
“It would be a great strategic asset, Greenland would be, for our defense,” he said.
US Rep. Michael Waltzwho is expected to become Trump’s national security adviser, also called Greenland “pivotal” from a tactical point of view.
– This is not just about Greenland. This is about the Arctic,” Waltz told Fox News. “You have Russia trying to be king of the Arctic with over 60 icebreakers, some of them nuclear powered, you know how many we have? We have two and one just caught fire.”
Post Views: 0
