President Donald Trump has said he believes the US will gain control of Greenland, after showing renewed interest in acquiring the autonomous Danish territory in recent weeks.
“I think Greenland we’ll get because it has to do with freedom of the world,” Trump continued.
The newspaper quoted an anonymous European official as saying the conversation was “horrendous”, and another saying Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland was is “serious, and potentially very dangerous”.
President Trump’s claim that the people of Greenland “want to be with us” may come as a surprise to some of the island’s residents.
A fishing boat captain in the Kapisillit settlement told the BBC Trump was “welcome to visit” the island, but that “Greenland belongs to Greenlanders”.
President Donald Trump, who has recently expressed renewed interest in acquiring the autonomous Danish territory, has stated that he thinks the US will eventually take control of Greenland.
The 57,000 people who live on the island “want to be with us,” he told reporters on Air Force One on Saturday.
Following a heated phone conversation with the president last week in which Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reportedly insisted that Greenland was not for sale, his remarks follow the news.
Trump stated that US control of Greenland is an “absolute necessity” for global security and hinted at the possibility of purchasing the vast Arctic territory during his first term in 2019.
Regarding the island, Trump responded, “I think the people want to be with us,” in the press room aboard the presidential aircraft.
It would be a very unfriendly act if they didn’t let that happen because it’s for the protection of the free world, he continued, adding, “I don’t really know what claim Denmark has to it.”.
Trump added, “I think we’ll get Greenland because it has to do with freedom of the world.”.
“Aside from the fact that the United States is the one that can grant freedom, it has nothing to do with us. They’re unable to. “.
Both Greenland’s and Denmark’s prime ministers have previously stated that the island is not for sale, despite Trump’s seeming assurance.
Mute Egede, the prime minister of Greenland, stated that the use of the territory’s land was “Greenland’s business,” but he did indicate that he would be open to collaborating more closely with the US on mining and defense.
“Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders,” according to Danish premiere Frederiksen earlier this month, and the future of the region could only be decided by the local populace.
The Financial Times reported that during a heated 45-minute phone conversation with Trump last week, Frederiksen reaffirmed her stance.
An unnamed European official told the newspaper that the discussion was “horrendous,” while another said that Trump’s desire to buy Greenland was “serious, and potentially very dangerous.”.
According to reports, the Danish prime minister acknowledged the US’s “big interest” in the island but insisted it was not for sale.
Greenland is strategically significant for the United States because it is located on the shortest path from North America to Europe. Additionally, there is a sizable American space facility there.
The natural resources of Greenland, such as iron, uranium, and rare earth minerals, have drawn more attention in recent years.
The island is still a part of the kingdom of Demark, despite having broad autonomy.
However, most people in Greenland agree that it will eventually gain its independence, which may open the door to a different kind of relationship with the US.
Some Greenlanders may be surprised by President Trump’s assertion that the island’s citizens “want to be with us.”.
Trump is “welcome to visit” the island, but “Greenland belongs to Greenlanders,” a fishing boat captain in the Kapisillit settlement told the BBC.
Trump’s remarks were deemed “not acceptable” by local church elder Kaaleeraq Ringsted, who also added that “Greenland is not for sale.”.
Trump has a number of options for pursuing his ambition to conquer the region. Trump stated that he could not rule out the use of economic or military force when asked earlier in January.
His recent remarks rocked the Danish political establishment, leading to hurriedly planned high-level meetings earlier this month in Copenhagen.