President Trump says the US must take Greenland to prevent Russian or Chinese control, dismissing Danish and Greenlandic opposition to the idea.
ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE: President Donald Trump declared the United States would take Greenland “one way or the other”.
He warned that Russia and China would seize the territory if Washington did not act first.
Trump asserted that controlling the mineral-rich Danish territory is crucial for US national security. This is due to 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. Neither country has laid claim to the vast island.
He said he would be open to making a deal with the Danish self-governing territory. “But one way or the other, we’re going to have Greenland,” he added.
Denmark and other European allies have expressed shock at Trump’s threats. The island plays a strategic role between North America and the Arctic.
The United States has maintained a military base there since World War II.
A Danish colony until 1953, Greenland gained home rule in 1979. It is now contemplating eventually loosening its ties with Denmark.
The vast majority of its population and political parties oppose coming under US control. They insist Greenlanders must decide their own future.
Trump continuously challenges this viewpoint. “Greenland should make the deal, because Greenland does not want to see Russia or China take over,” he warned.
He mocked Greenland’s defenses, saying, “You know what their defense is, two dog sleds”. He contrasted this with Russian and Chinese “destroyers and submarines all over the place.”
Denmark’s prime minister warned last week that any US move to take Greenland by force would destroy 80 years of transatlantic security links.
Trump waved off the comment. “If it affects NATO, it affects NATO. But you know, (Greenland) need us much more than we need them,” he said.
