26.01.2025 23:21
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he believes the United States will take control of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. Trump also mentioned that the island's 57,000 residents "want to be with the U.S." However, the leaders of Greenland and Denmark expressed that the island is not for sale.
During a press conference on Air Force One, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the United States would take control of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. Trump, who said, "I think we will get it," noted that the island's 57,000 residents "want to be with the U.S."
"WE WILL TAKE GREENLAND"
Trump also said: "I really don't know what right Denmark has over the island, but it would be very hostile behavior for them not to allow this to happen for the protection of the free world. I think we will take Greenland because it relates to the freedom of the world. There is no connection to the United States other than us being the ones who can provide freedom. They cannot provide it." During his first term in 2019, Trump had mentioned the possibility of purchasing this vast area in the Arctic and stated that having Greenland under U.S. control was "an absolute necessity" for international security.
RESPONSE FROM GREENLAND AND DANISH LEADERS TO TRUMP
Despite Trump's comments, Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Bourup Egede and Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen had previously stated that the island was not for sale. Egede said that the use of the region's land was "Greenland's business," but expressed willingness to work more closely with the U.S. on defense and mining issues. Frederiksen emphasized earlier this month that "Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders" and that only the local people can determine its future.
"SERIOUS AND POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS"
According to a report in the Financial Times, Frederiksen reiterated this view during a 45-minute phone call with Trump last week. The newspaper reported that a European official, who wished to remain anonymous, described the conversation as "terrible," while another said that Trump's interest in purchasing Greenland was "serious and potentially very dangerous." It was reported that Frederiksen insisted that the island was not for sale but noted that the U.S. had "great interest" in the island.
TRUMP MAY FIRST VISIT SAUDI ARABIA OR ENGLAND
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that his first foreign trip could be to Saudi Arabia or England. Trump noted that "traditionally, U.S. presidents visit England, but his first foreign trip could be to Saudi Arabia." He mentioned that the reason for his last visit to Saudi Arabia was that the Arab kingdom agreed to purchase billions of dollars worth of U.S. goods and said, "If that offer were correct, I would do it again."
PRAISE FROM TRUMP TO ENGLAND'S PRIME MINISTER STARMER
Trump praised the leadership of England's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, stating that his British counterpart had "done a very good job" and that the two leaders would have a phone call within the next 24 hours. Trump also expressed that despite their differing political views, he and Starmer "got along well."
TRUMP AND STARMER MEETING MAY HAPPEN SOON
England's Foreign Secretary David Lammy also stated earlier this month that Starmer would travel to Washington to meet with Trump. Starmer's Chief of Staff, Morgan McSweeney, had traveled to the U.S. last December to meet with the newly arrived team at the White House. A senior source from Downing Street told the England-based Telegraph newspaper that "the atmosphere is very warm" and that Trump "has done nothing but be warm towards the United Kingdom."