A Florida Republican introduces a bill to annex Greenland as the 51st state, backing Trump’s push for control over the strategic Arctic territory.
WASHINGTON: A Republican congressman from Florida introduced a bill on Monday to annex Greenland and make it the 51st US state.
The legislation authorises President Donald Trump to take whatever steps are necessary to acquire the autonomous Danish territory.
It also requires the Trump administration to send Congress a report detailing the legal changes needed for Greenland to achieve statehood.
Representative Randy Fine said Greenland is a vital national security asset, not a distant outpost to ignore.
Trump has repeatedly insisted the US must bring Greenland under its control, citing its rich rare earth mineral resources and strategic Arctic location.
He has argued that if the US does not take Greenland, Russia or China will.
The president has floated the idea of buying the territory or taking it by force, despite strong objections from NATO ally Denmark.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that an armed US attack on Greenland would spell the end of the 32-member NATO alliance.
Both Democrats and Republicans in the US have pushed back against Trump’s rhetoric on the issue.
NATO and Greenland’s own government said on Monday they intended to work on strengthening the territory’s defence.
This addresses a key security concern cited by Trump for his push to acquire the island.
