Trump: US must own Greenland to block Russia and China

WISE NEWS PRESS / WASHINGTON, USA 

US President Donald Trump has asserted that the United States must "own" Greenland to prevent Russia and China from seizing the strategic territory. Speaking to reporters in Washington, Trump stated that existing lease agreements for military facilities, such as the Pituffik base, are no longer sufficient to guarantee national security in the Arctic.

"Countries need to hold ownership; you defend ownership, not leases," Trump said in response to a question from the BBC on Friday. He further emphasized that the US would defend Greenland "the easy way or the hard way," sparking immediate diplomatic backlash from Copenhagen and Nuuk.

National security and resource competition

The President claimed, without providing specific evidence, that the region is "swarming with Russian and Chinese ships." While expressing affinity for both the Russian and Chinese people, Trump insisted he does not want them as neighbors in the Arctic. The White House recently confirmed it is considering the purchase of the semi-autonomous Danish territory and has not ruled out "forced annexation" as a strategic option.

Beyond military strategy, the melting ice caps due to climate change have increased global interest in Greenland’s vast natural resources. The island is believed to hold significant deposits of rare earth minerals, uranium, iron, and potentially large oil and gas reserves.

International and local resistance

Denmark and Greenland have remained firm in their stance that the territory is not for sale. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called on the US to "stop the threats," reminding Washington that Greenland is part of NATO’s security guarantee through its link to Denmark. "The US has no right to annex any territory belonging to Denmark," Frederiksen stated.

In a joint statement issued Friday night, Greenland’s political leaders, including the opposition, urged the US to respect their sovereignty. "We don’t want to be Americans; we want to be Greenlanders. The people of Greenland must decide their own future," the statement read.

NATO allies support Denmark

The escalating tension has drawn concern from European allies. Leaders from France, the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Poland issued a joint declaration supporting Denmark, stating that "Greenland belongs to its people." The declaration emphasized that sovereignty and territorial integrity are universal principles that must be upheld.

Next week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to meet with Danish officials to discuss the rising tensions. Despite the majority of Greenlanders supporting eventual independence from Denmark, recent polls show that an overwhelming majority are opposed to joining the United States.

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Source : BBC