To ensure control of Greenland, Donald Trump does not rule out the use of military force – Euractiv FR

Future US President Donald Trump caused a stir after refusing to rule out the possibility of military action to gain control of Greenland. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reminded him of the common membership of the United States and Denmark in NATO.

Greenland has been part of the Kingdom of Denmark since the 18th century and has gradually gained autonomy since the end of World War II.

As an autonomous territory of Denmark, Greenland is a member in fact of the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Therefore, any use of military force on its territory by another NATO member would constitute a historic first and a serious problem.

At a press conference in Florida, Donald Trump was asked if he ruled out using military or economic coercion to consolidate and guarantee US control over Greenland and the Panama Canal.

“No, I cannot assure you of anything on these two points”replied the political leader.

The man who will take office as President of the United States on January 20 also declared that, if Greenland was not for sale, he would impose very high customs duties. As the territory is part of the EU, this would impact imports of goods from other states.

Donald Trump also justified his interest in Greenland by stating that the territory was necessary for the national security of the United States.

Mette Frederiksen reacted measuredly to these comments, telling journalists that she could not imagine such a situation. She reiterated that Denmark was not legally able to sell or cede Greenland to the United States.

The Danish Prime Minister called the United States Denmark’s closest and most important ally and welcomed its interest in the Arctic. However, she added that this interest must be accompanied by respect for the Greenlandic people and cooperation on subjects such as NATO.

Donald Trump’s remarks come shortly after the visit to Greenland of his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, who arrived this Tuesday in Nuuk – the territory’s capital – with a delegation including conservative influencer Charlie Kirk.

Speaking to reporters shortly after his arrival, Donald Trump Jr stressed that it was a private visit.

Although it was initially rumored that the visit would include meetings with Greenlandic politicians, such as the country’s finance minister and perhaps even the prime minister, the Greenlandic government has said it will not was not an official visit and that no meeting was planned.

Múte Egede, Prime Minister of Greenland, discussed the visit on Facebook and said that Greenland belonged to the people of Greenland and that while Danes and Americans could have their opinions, their future remained theirs.

[Édité par Alice Bergoënd]