Q-and-A

 1.  How did France come to expel US military personnel/bases in the 1960s?

France, under President Charles de Gaulle, announced on March 7, 1966, that it was withdrawing from NATO's integrated military command and required all foreign military forces (including US troops) not under French control to leave French territory.  The deadline given for their departure was April 1, 1967, providing roughly 13 months to complete the withdrawal. 

2.  Is it likely that some repeat performance (bigger in scale, to include all of Europe) is about to happen...in regard to Greenland and feelings over Trump?

As hyped-up as people are....there is this odd dynamic of Putin sitting in the corner of the 'room', and realization of a cost-factor to replace the US troops (the money simply isn't there).  

However, I could see the 1966-scenario repeating....with US bases/posts closing over a one-year period.  If you asked me about the consequences to the economy of Germany/UK...regionally, it's a big deal (go examine Kaiserslautern, Wiesbaden and Stuttgart).  

3.  Was this Trump-Greenland-watch NATO end strategy always laid out?

I'm one of those people who believe the Trump-team has a room with white-boards and yellow-sticker labels laid out for events to trigger situations to occur (like WWE wrestling scenarios).

To be honest....there was a point in the early 1990s....while still in the Air Force, where I would note some conversation almost weekly....'why-are-we-still-staying-in-Europe' would occur.  Had the Yugoslavia-break-up not occurred....I suspect Clinton would have approached some exit strategy. 

4.  All this end-trade-with-America.....who does it really hurt?

It's not a accurate strategy.....as much as you think Europe is unified/united....it's not.  As much as the Danes, Germans, and French might be headed toward this tactic of ending US trade.....the Italians, the Poles, and most of Eastern  Europe  aren't that  thrilled of a end-trade strategy.

I looked at 2023 data: the EU exports to US: €822 billion (€503 billion in goods + €319 billion in services).....the US exports to EU: €774 billion (€347 billion in goods + €427 billion in services).  

If this end-trade strategy were applied?  Well....you'd start to notice within 30 days....a recess-like wave to occur.   The companies in Italy and Poland for example....might not suffer as much because trade wouldn't 'dip'.

5.  Is the whole list of reasons for Greenland acquisition laid out?

Some people think so....some don't think so.

If you view German public forum discussions with intellectuals....this is a awful short list of logical reasons. It is odd....over the past month, I've heard the term 'Königreich Dänemark' (Kingdom of Denmark) a good bit....before this era....it was always just 'Dänemark'.

My general belief?  China (over the past decade) has shown the general strategy of walking in and establishing trade/commerce contracts as a 'tease'.  You can use the 2018 attempt to get into the airport build-up contract in Greenland as a example. It is possible that Team-Trump sees any action like this (Greenland, Venezuela)....as a long-term problem.

6.  Who is the bigger 'evil-character' Trump or Denmark?

Inuit people (who make up around 85-percent of Greenland) have a slightly different view than non-Inuit people in Greenland.   The memory of forced birth-control from 1960s/1970s....lingers.

The logic for this strategy?  Danish authorities aimed to curb birth rates as a means of population control, reducing welfare and childcare costs to alleviate economic pressures on the state (meaning Denmark).

I would imagine if you used a Inuit-women-only poll....the vast majority don't see Denmark in a pleasant way.  

I would also imagine if you use mostly non-Inuit society members for a poll....it's near 95-percent anti-US/anti-Trump. 

7. With all this hype going on....is there a talk going on in the UK about forcing an election?

People are showing a fair amount of disgruntlement....but the 2029 election is still the target.  

If a trade 'war' were to start and hinder the Brit economy....it'd only add to the woes of the current gov't.