U.S. President Donald Trump has defended his renewed interest in Greenland, insisting that the United States must own the territory to properly secure it and prevent rival powers from gaining influence in the Arctic.
Responding to a journalist who questioned why ownership of Greenland is necessary when the U.S. already maintains a military presence there, President Trump said, “Because when we own it, we defend it.
You don’t defend leases the same way. You have to own it.”
Trump warned that without U.S. control, Greenland could fall under the influence of China or Russia, stating, “If we don’t do it, China or Russia will – not gonna happen.”
Addressing relations with both countries, the U.S. president said, “I like China, I like Russia. I love the people of China. I love the people of Russia.” He added,
“I get along very well with President Putin, but I’m very disappointed in him. I get along very well with President Xi.”
Trump also revealed plans to visit China, saying, “I’m going to go over to China in April, but I don’t want them as a neighbor in Greenland.” He stressed, “Not going to happen.”
Linking the issue to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) a group of countries that agree to defend each other if one of them is attacked, made up of 32 member countries (mainly from Europe and North America) including United States, Canada, and most European nations, Trump said the alliance must recognize the strategic importance of Greenland, stating,
“NATO’s got to understand that. I’m all for NATO. I saved NATO. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have a NATO right now.”
He concluded by warning that failure to act would allow foreign powers to take control of Greenland, saying,
“We’re not going to allow Russia or China to occupy Greenland, and that’s what’s going to happen if we don’t.”
Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark, and both Greenlandic and Danish authorities have repeatedly rejected any suggestion that the territory could be sold.