Donald Trump has intensified his threats to annex Greenland.
The 79-year-old president issued a new warning to the autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark during a press conference aboard Air Force One on Sunday.
Asked about his intentions regarding a possible US military intervention against the territory, which has fewer than 60,000 inhabitants, the president declared:
“If we don’t take Greenland, Russia or China will. And I won’t allow it.” When asked if Greenland might “give up” anything to him, Trump replied: “Sure, I’d like to make a deal with them. That would be simpler. But one way or another, we’re going to have Greenland.” Trump had already made a similar threat before Congress last March.
On Sunday, Trump outlined his plan to annex Greenland.
He stated: “Look, we’re talking about acquisition, not leasing, not short-term ownership. We’re talking about acquisition. And if we don’t do it, Russia or China will. And that won’t happen as long as I’m president.”
Asked about his intention to increase the number of military bases in Greenland, the president said, “I could deploy a large number of troops there immediately if I wanted to, but it takes more than that. It takes ownership. It takes… a title, as they say in real estate.”
Trump made similar threats on Friday, telling reporters, “We’re going to do something in Greenland, whether they like it or not.” The president insisted he would resort to more drastic measures if he failed to reach an agreement to acquire the territory.
Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly stated that the territory is not for sale, and Denmark has warned Trump that any US military intervention could lead to the collapse of NATO.
The Greenlandic government and opposition issued a joint statement last week following Trump’s remarks, declaring: “We don’t want to be Americans, we don’t want to be Danes, we want to be Greenlanders. The Greenlandic people must decide the future of Greenland.”
Speaking on Sunday, the president appeared unconcerned with NATO’s reaction to his plans, boasting: “I saved NATO,” and adding: “Without my presidency, NATO would not exist.”
He also raised the possibility of a US withdrawal, despite the United States being one of NATO’s twelve founding members in 1949.
“NATO would probably be upset if I did that,” Trump said, referring to his plan to acquire Greenland. “Maybe. NATO would save a lot of money. But I like NATO, you know.” I wonder, if we needed NATO, would they be there to support us? I’m not sure. You know, we spend a lot of money on NATO. And I’m not sure they would support us.
Trump also acknowledged that he had not yet made a concrete offer to Greenland, despite reports last week that his administration was considering paying large sums of money to the island’s citizens in exchange for its separation from the Scandinavian country.
Trump stated, “I have nothing to do with it, but Greenland has to make this deal because they don’t want Russia or China taking control. They’re not going there; it’s too far from Greenland. And Greenland’s defense essentially consists of two dog sleds. Did you know that? Do you know what their defense consists of? Two dog sleds.”
He reiterated his concerns about the proliferation of Chinese and Russian destroyers and submarines “everywhere” without American intervention, despite NATO’s reservations.
Trump stated: “We will not let that happen. And if it affects NATO, it will affect them, but as you know, they need us far more than we need them, I’m telling you right now.”