President Donald Trump has doubled down on his claim that Greenland should become part of the United States, despite calls by Denmark’s prime minister to stop “threatening” the territory.
Washington’s military intervention in Venezuela has reignited fears for Greenland, which Trump has repeatedly said he wants to annex, given its strategic location in the Arctic.
Trump has said that Greenland, which is rich in critical minerals vital for the tech industry, is needed for US national security.
Asked in a telephone interview with The Atlantic about the implications of the Venezuela military operation for Greenland, Trump said that it was up to others to decide, according to the magazine.
“They are going to have to view it themselves. I really don’t know,” Trump was quoted as saying. “But we do need Greenland, absolutely. We need it for defence.”
“We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Washington late on Sunday.
“We’ll worry about Greenland in about two months,” continued Trump. “Let’s talk about Greenland in 20 days.”
Over the weekend, Katie Miller, the wife of Trump’s most influential aide, posted an image of the flag of Greenland in the colours of the US flag, captioning it “SOON”.
Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen took to social media to tell the US president: “That’s enough now. No more pressure. No more insinuations. No more fantasies of annexation.”
“We are open to dialogue,” he said. “But this must happen through the proper channels and with respect for international law.”
Denmark and the European Union have responded with ire to Trump’s Greenland agenda.
“I have to say this very clearly to the United States: it is absolutely absurd to say that the United States should take control of Greenland,” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in a statement.
She called on Washington to stop “threatening its historical ally”.
On the streets of Copenhagen, locals expressed bewilderment at Trump’s threats.
“I think it’s a little crazy that he can say those things,” said Frederik Olsen, 56.
“He has all the access he wants for the troops,” said Christian Harpsoe, 46, adding: “I see no need. You cannot compare this to Venezuela.”
The controversy drew a slew of supporting statements from around Europe, with EU foreign policy spokesperson Anitta Hipper telling reporters that the bloc was committed to defending the territorial integrity of its members.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that “only Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark” could decide the territory’s future – sentiments reflected in statements from the leaders of Finland, Sweden and Norway.
France’s foreign ministry spokesman Pascal Confavreux told local TV that “borders cannot be changed by force” and added that his country felt “solidarity” with Denmark.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Greenland belongs to Denmark and suggested Nato could discuss strengthening its protection if necessary.
“Unfortunately, I think the American president should be taken seriously when he says he wants Greenland,” Danish Prime Minister Frederiksen told public broadcaster DR yesterday. “I have made it very clear where the Kingdom of Denmark stands, and Greenland has repeatedly said that it does not want to be part of the United States.”
Greenland, the world’s largest island with a population of 57,000 people, is not an independent member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) but is covered by Denmark’s membership of the Western military alliance, of which the US is also a member.
“If the United States attacks another Nato country, everything stops,” Frederiksen said.
Trump appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland last month.
Landry has publicly expressed support for incorporating Greenland into the United States.