US President Trump repeated his claims about needing to do “something” about Greenland. He warned that if the US does not act, Russia and China will step in, and Washington does not want them as neighbors. He mentioned that just because Denmark landed a boat in Greenland 500 years ago, it does not mean they own the land.
Trump Plan to Acquire Greenland
The President made these comments while speaking with reporters during a meeting with top oil and gas executives. When asked about Greenland, Trump said, “We are going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not, because if we don’t do it, Russia or China will take over Greenland.
We’re not going to have Russia or China as a neighbor. I would like to make a deal the easy way, but if we don’t do it the easy way, we’re going to do it the hard way.”
Talk about Russia and China Threats
When asked why it mattered to “own” Greenland, given the US already has a military presence that could be expanded, Trump responded that ownership needs defense, not leases. “When we own it, we defend it. You don’t defend leases the same way. You have to own it. Countries have to have ownership, and you defend ownership.
You don’t defend leases. If we don’t do it, China or Russia will. That’s not going to happen. NATO has to understand that. I’m all for NATO. I saved it. If it weren’t for me, NATO would not be there.”
Trump has renewed his effort to take over the semi-autonomous Danish territory rich in natural resources, including rare earth minerals, uranium, and iron. This new effort to annex Greenland follows his use of military force against Venezuela on Saturday to seize control from President Nicolas Maduro.
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