Washington’s European allies have rejected US President Donald Trump’s latest claim that the United States “needs” Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory, for its national security needs.
Trump made the comment Sunday in the aftermath of the ousting of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, saying: “American dominance in the Western hemisphere will never be questioned again.”
Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen urged Trump to stop threatening to take over Greenland.
“It makes absolutely no sense to talk about the US needing to take over Greenland,” Frederiksen said in an emailed statement to Reuters on Sunday.
“I would therefore strongly urge the US stop the threats against a historically close ally and against another country and another people, who have very clearly said that they are not for sale.”
Trump said Sunday: “We need Greenland. … It’s so strategic right now. Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place.”
“We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told Sky News on Monday that “Greenland and Denmark must determine the future of Greenland – nobody else,” according to Reuters.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Monday that Greenland belonged to Denmark and that the NATO alliance could discuss strengthening its protection if necessary. Separately, a German government spokesman said that borders must not be moved by force, and Germany was talking with Denmark and other EU countries about the issue.
“Greenland belongs to Greenland’s people and to Denmark’s people,” French Foreign Ministry spokesman Pascal Confavreux told French television.
“It is up to them to decide what they wish to do. Borders cannot be changed by force.”
A spokesman for the European Commission said the European Union would continue to uphold the principle of national sovereignty, when asked about Trump’s comments. The EU fully supported Denmark, the spokesman said.
