President-elect Donald Trump told residents of Greenland that the United States would “treat them well” as his eldest son visited the mineral-rich Danish territory that is home to a major US military base, fueling speculation that which the new American administration could seek to acquire.
Posted at 9:52 a.m.
Updated at 7:23 p.m.
Jamey Keaten and Vanessa Gera
Associated Press
The president-elect later told a news conference that he did not rule out using military force or economic coercion to take control of Greenland, saying “we need it for national security.” .
Earlier in the day, the president-elect released a video showing a plane emblazoned with the TRUMP logo landing in Nuuk, the Arctic territory’s capital, amid a landscape of snow-capped peaks and fjords.
“Don Jr. and my representatives are landing in Greenland,” Donald Trump wrote. The welcome was wonderful. They and the free world need security, safety, strength and PEACE! This is a deal that needs to be made. MAGA. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN! »
In a statement, Greenland’s government said Mr. Trump’s visit would take place “in a private capacity” and not as an official visit and that Greenlandic representatives would not meet with him.
PHOTO EVAN VUCCI, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
Donald Trump Jr.
Mr. Trump is in Greenland on a day trip to film video content for a podcast, according to a person familiar with the plans who was not authorized to speak publicly. Mr. Trump’s eldest son became an important player in his father’s political movement and served on his presidential transition team.
Mininguaq Kleist, permanent secretary of Greenland’s Department of Foreign Affairs, told The Associated Press that authorities had been informed that Mr. Trump would stay for about four to five hours.
Mr. Trump’s delegation did not request formal meetings with government officials. The Greenland government also did not request to meet the delegation, he said.
This visit nevertheless has a strong political connotation: it comes after President-elect Donald Trump expressed his desire – which he also expressed during his first presidency – to acquire the vast Arctic territory, an area of strategic importance for the United States, China, Russia and others.
Not for sale
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Tuesday that Greenland’s future will be decided by Greenland, and called the United States Denmark’s most important ally. “Greenland is not for sale,” said Mr.me Frederiksen, adding that “we must remain calm and stick to our principles.”
The world’s largest island, Greenland, lies between the Atlantic and Arctic oceans and is 80% covered by an ice sheet. The autonomous territory has some 56,000 inhabitants, most of them indigenous Inuit.
Greenland’s Prime Minister, Múte Egede, has called for independence from Denmark, saying in a New Year’s speech that it would be a way for Greenland to free itself from its colonial past. But Mr Egede also indicated he had no interest in Greenland becoming part of the United States, insisting the island was not for sale.
Independence has become a key issue in the run-up to elections to the Greenlandic parliament. The date has not been set, but it must take place no later than April 6.
Aaja Chemnitz, a Greenlandic member of the Danish parliament, told the AP that she has no interest in Greenland becoming part of the United States and that she hears the same sentiment from her constituents.
“Most people don’t want it,” she said. I think some people find that quite disrespectful. And the way it was done, and the simple fact that you said you can buy another country. »
A former colony of Denmark, Greenland obtained its autonomy in 1979, which it exercises through its parliament. Copenhagen still exercises control over Greenland’s foreign and defense policy. A treaty with the United States, with the American base, also gives Washington the power to decide on the defense of the territory.
Denmark’s King Frederik
Last month, the king changed Denmark’s coat of arms to include fields representing Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Greenland is represented by a silver bear, standing with a red tongue. The royal announcement noted that, since 1194, the royal coat of arms “visually symbolizes the legitimacy and sovereignty of the state and the monarch.”
“We are all united and each of us is committed to the Kingdom of Denmark,” Frederik said in his New Year’s speech, adding: “all the way to Greenland.”
The idea of the United States purchasing Greenland – located near the North American landmass – is not new, with the first attempts dating back to the late 19e century.
During his first term, Donald Trump considered purchasing Greenland. He even canceled a planned trip to Denmark in August 2019 after his prime minister rejected the idea.
Raising the issue in a statement last month, as he announced his choice for U.S. ambassador to Denmark, Donald Trump wrote: “For reasons of national security and freedom around the world, States -United States believes that ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity. »
