Washington, Jan 10: U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday renewed his long-standing claim that the United States should take control of Greenland, arguing that Washington must act to prevent Russia or China from gaining influence over the Arctic territory. We are going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not,” Trump said while briefing reporters at the White House. “If we don’t do it, Russia or China will take over Greenland. We are not going to have Russia or China as a neighbour.Trump has repeatedly suggested that the United States should own or acquire Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Greenland is the world’s largest island and a strategically significant Arctic region. It is one of three constituent parts of the Danish kingdom, alongside Denmark proper and the Faroe Islands, and shares a 1.2-kilometre border with Canada on Hans Island. According to the Associated Press, officials from Denmark, Greenland and the United States met in Washington on Thursday and are expected to meet again next week amid a renewed push by the White House. The report said the administration is considering a range of options to acquire the island, including the possible use of military force.Trump’s remarks and the reported discussions have drawn a strong response from European leaders.
In a joint statement issued on Greenland, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stressed that Arctic security must be addressed collectively through NATO and in accordance with international law.
“Arctic security remains a key priority for Europe and it is critical for international and transatlantic security,” the leaders said. They noted that NATO has identified the Arctic as a priority region and that European allies have increased their military presence, activities and investments to deter adversaries.
The statement emphasized that Greenland, as part of the Kingdom of Denmark, is within NATO, and that security in the Arctic must be achieved by upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders.
“These are universal principles, and we will not stop defending them,” the leaders said.
While describing the United States as an “essential partner” through NATO and the 1951 defence agreement between Denmark and the U.S., the statement made clear that decisions regarding Greenland rest solely with Denmark and Greenland.
“Greenland belongs to its people,” the leaders said. “It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.”
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