President Trump reiterates his desire to annex Greenland for US national security, drawing strong rebukes from Danish and Greenlandic leaders.
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump (pic) has renewed his push for the United States to annex Greenland, citing national security needs.
He made the remarks aboard Air Force One despite a call from Denmark’s prime minister to stop “threatening” the territory.
“We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it,” Trump said.
He added that the topic would be addressed soon, stating “we’ll worry about Greenland in about two months.”
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen earlier called the idea “absolutely absurd.”
She emphasised that Denmark, and thus Greenland, is a NATO member protected by the alliance’s security guarantees.
The strategic Arctic territory has returned to focus following the US military intervention in Venezuela.
Trump said the US would now “run” Venezuela indefinitely and tap its oil reserves.
When asked about implications for Greenland, Trump told The Atlantic, “They are going to have to view it themselves.”
He reiterated, “But we do need Greenland, absolutely. We need it for defence.”
A provocative social media post by former aide Katie Miller further inflamed tensions.
She posted an image of Greenland in US flag colours with the caption “SOON.”
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen called the post “disrespectful.”
He stated, “Relations between nations and peoples are built on mutual respect and international law.”
Nielsen added, “Our country is not for sale, and our future is not decided by social media posts.”
Denmark’s ambassador to the US offered a “friendly reminder” of boosted Arctic security cooperation.
Jesper Moeller Soerensen wrote that the nations are “close allies and should continue to work together as such.”
Katie Miller is married to Stephen Miller, a key architect of Trump’s domestic and immigration policies.
