President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the United States would take control of Greenland “one way or the other,” warning that Russia and China would “take over” the vast Arctic territory if Washington failed to act.
Trump argued that controlling the mineral-rich, self-governing Danish territory was vital to US national security, citing increased Russian and Chinese military activity in the Arctic.
“If we don’t take Greenland, Russia or China will, and I’m not letting that happen,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, despite neither country having formally laid claim to the island.
He said he was open to striking a deal with Greenland but insisted that US control was inevitable. “One way or the other, we’re going to have Greenland,” he said.
Trump’s remarks have sparked shock and condemnation in Denmark and among other European allies. Greenland occupies a strategic position between North America and the Arctic, and the United States has maintained a military presence on the island since World War II.
Formerly a Danish colony until 1953, Greenland was granted home rule in 1979 and has since debated loosening its ties with Copenhagen.
However, the majority of Greenland’s population and political parties have consistently rejected the idea of US control, insisting that the island’s future must be determined by Greenlanders themselves, a stance Trump has repeatedly challenged.
“Greenland should make the deal, because Greenland does not want to see Russia or China take over,” Trump said, dismissing the island’s defence capabilities.
“You know what their defence is? Two dog sleds,” he added, contrasting it with what he described as Russia’s and China’s naval presence, including destroyers and submarines.
Denmark’s prime minister warned last week that any attempt by the United States to seize Greenland by force would shatter eight decades of transatlantic security cooperation.
Trump brushed off the warning, saying, “If it affects NATO, it affects NATO. But they need us much more than we need them.”
AFP
