U.S. President Donald Trump has said the United States needs Greenland for national security, citing a growing Russian and Chinese presence in the Arctic region.
Trump said Greenland is required for national protection and economic development, and insisted that Washington’s interest is not driven by mineral resources. His remarks came as he appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as his special envoy to Greenland.
“We need Greenland for national protection. They have a very small population. They say Denmark, but Denmark has spent no money. We need Greenland for national security, not for minerals. If you look up and down the coast, you have Russian and Chinese ships all over the place,” Trump said.
The move has drawn criticism from Denmark and Greenland, with officials expressing concern over Washington’s growing interest in the strategically located, mineral-rich Arctic island.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said in a joint statement that Greenland belongs to the Greenlandic people. Nielsen later said on social media that the appointment of a U.S. envoy “may sound big, but does not change anything,” adding that Greenlanders will decide their own future.
Denmark has summoned the U.S. ambassador for a meeting, along with a Greenlandic representative, seeking an explanation.
European Commission spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said preserving the territorial integrity, sovereignty and inviolability of Denmark’s borders is essential for the European Union.
Trump has previously advocated for Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory, to become part of the United States, citing its strategic importance.
File Photo: X/@
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