(Berlin) The expansionist aims of American President-elect Donald Trump arouse “a certain incomprehension” among European leaders, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Wednesday, after speaking with several of them.
Posted at 10:58 a.m.
“The principle of the inviolability of borders applies to any country, whether small or very powerful, it is a fundamental principle of international law,” Mr. Scholz said in a statement to the press.
“This is why a certain incomprehension clearly manifested itself” during discussions with other European officials “regarding the latest declarations from the United States,” continued the Social Democratic Chancellor.
He was reacting to Donald Trump’s comments on Greenland or the Panama Canal.
The US president-elect reiterated his ambitions to annex the Panama Canal and Greenland, by force if necessary, during a press conference on Tuesday.
Asked if he could guarantee that he would not use armed forces to annex the Panama Canal, a vital artery for global shipping, and Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, Donald Trump responded : “I can’t assure you, about either of them.”
“Each State must stick to” the principle of inviolability of borders, whether it is “located to the east or to the west of us”, retorted Olaf Scholz, in an allusion to Russia and the States -United.
For the latter, Russian President Vladimir Putin “violated this principle” by invading Ukraine, which brought “war to the heart of Europe”.
Olaf Scholz also distanced himself from Donald Trump’s demand that NATO member states increase their defense budgets to 5% of their GDP, compared to the 2% currently required.
“The necessary military capabilities are determined very precisely and discussed with all alliance partners,” underlined the head of the German government.
“It is important that we address these issues together and act with one voice,” he added.
Denmark is “open to dialogue” and said it is ready to “cooperate” with the United States at a time when President-elect Donald Trump has expressed the desire to annex Greenland, Denmark told reporters on Wednesday. Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The Kingdom of Denmark, which brings together mainland Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands, is “open to a dialogue with the Americans on how we can cooperate, perhaps even more closely than we already do,” Lars Løkke Rasmussen said. without giving further details.
