The U.S. must personal Greenland to stop Russia or China from occupying it sooner or later, President Donald Trump mentioned on Friday.
“We’re going to do one thing on Greenland whether or not they prefer it or not. As a result of if we don’t do it, Russia or China will take over Greenland, and we’re not going to have Russia or China as a neighbor,” Trump advised reporters on the White Home whereas assembly with oil firm executives.
“I wish to make a deal the simple means, but when we don’t do it the simple means we’re going to do it the laborious means,” he added, showing to allude to potential army motion.
Trump mentioned the U.S. should purchase Greenland, though it already has a army presence on the island below a 1951 settlement, as a result of such offers should not sufficient to ensure Greenland’s protection. The island of 57,000 folks is an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark, however the treaty permits the U.S. to increase its army presence because it sees match.
“You defend possession. You don’t defend leases. And we’ll must defend Greenland. If we don’t do it, China or Russia will. Not going to occur,” Trump mentioned.
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Trump and White Home officers have been discussing varied plans to convey Greenland below U.S. management, together with potential use of the U.S. army and lump sum funds to Greenlanders as a part of a bid to persuade them to secede from Denmark and probably be a part of the U.S.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio advised reporters and lawmakers this week that a purchase order of Greenland was the highest concept being thought-about.
However Trump, when requested Friday how a lot cash the U.S. can be keen to spend, mentioned he’s “not speaking about cash for Greenland but,” although he mentioned that might be raised sooner or later.
Leaders in Copenhagen and all through Europe have reacted with disdain in latest days to feedback by Trump and different White Home officers asserting their proper to Greenland. The U.S. and Denmark are NATO allies sure by a mutual protection settlement.
On Tuesday, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Britain and Denmark issued a joint assertion, saying solely Greenland and Denmark can determine issues relating to their relations.
Overseas coverage consultants have mentioned the U.S. received’t acquire any further nationwide safety benefit by way of a takeover of Greenland in comparison with the prevailing treaty settlement and cooperation with NATO.
They’ve warned forcing Greenland away from Denmark may “completely” rupture the western army alliance.
Trump says he nonetheless helps NATO however added Friday that “NATO has to know” his place on buying Greenland.
Rubio is predicted to satisfy subsequent week with Danish officers to debate Greenland.
Trump, in a New York Occasions interview printed Thursday, mentioned he has to own everything of Greenland as an alternative of simply increasing its presence below the prevailing treaty.
“I feel that possession offers you a factor which you can’t do with, you’re speaking a couple of lease or a treaty. Possession offers you issues and components which you can’t get from simply signing a doc,” Trump advised the newspaper.
—With further information from International Information and the Related Press
