U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his desire for the United States to annex Greenland, calling the move essential for international security.
During a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the White House on Thursday, Trump claimed that U.S. control over the Arctic island was necessary to safeguard global stability.
“You know, Mark, we need that for international security, not just security – international – we have a lot of our favorite players cruising around the coast, and we have to be careful,” Trump said. He added, “I think that will happen,” when asked directly about the prospect of annexation.
Trump has frequently raised the idea of acquiring Greenland since taking office. His latest remarks hinted that he might seek NATO’s involvement in the matter, a suggestion that drew swift criticism from Greenland’s leaders.
Greenland’s outgoing Prime Minister Mute Egede responded with a firm rejection. “The U.S. president has once again aired the thought of annexing us,” Egede wrote on Facebook. “Enough is enough.”
Jens-Frederik Nielsen, leader of Greenland's pro-business Demokraatit party, also condemned Trump’s comments. “Trump’s statement is inappropriate and just shows once again that we must stand together in such situations,” Nielsen wrote.
NATO and Denmark’s embassy in Washington declined to comment.
While Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory, has expressed interest in eventual independence from Denmark, public opinion polls indicate most Greenlanders oppose becoming part of the United States.
Trump’s renewed push for Greenland’s annexation comes amid concerns over the Arctic region’s strategic importance and its valuable mineral resources. The island’s location along the shortest route between North America and Europe makes it vital for U.S. missile defense systems.
Trump also hinted at bolstering U.S. military presence on the island, claiming that Denmark had refused to engage in meaningful talks over the matter.
“We’ve been dealing with Denmark, we’ve been dealing with Greenland, and we have to do it,” Trump said. “We really need it for national security. That’s why NATO might have to get involved.”
The U.S. president further questioned Denmark’s historical claim to Greenland, saying, “Denmark’s very far away, and really has nothing to do [with Greenland]. What happens, a boat landed there 200 years ago or something? And they say they have rights to it. I don’t know if that’s true.”
(With inputs from Reuters)
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