Donald Trump has said he wants to make a deal with Greenland and won’t let Russia or China take control of the Arctic territory.
Mr Trump said that making a deal would be “easier” than taking control of the territory through military means, but insisted it would happen “one way or the other”, even if it strains relationships with NATO.
“If we don’t take Greenland, Russia or China will take Greenland, and I’m not gonna let that happen,” he told reporters on board Air Force One.
“I’d love to make a deal with them, it’s easier. But one way or the other, we’re gonna have Greenland.”
The president said that “Greenland does not want to see Russia or China take over,” adding that the territory would benefit from closer ties with the US, particularly when it comes to defence.
“Greenland, basically, their defence is two dogsleds,” he said.
“In the meantime, you have Russian destroyers and submarines, and China destroyers and submarines all over the place. We’re not gonna let that happen.”
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Mr Trump has provided no evidence to back up his claims that Russian and Chinese vessels are operating near Greenland – something that Denmark disputes.
Independent news agencies say ship tracking data shows no Chinese or Russian presence near the territory, although experts say that Russian submarines are likely to be operating in the area.
The US president acknowledged a Greenland takeover by the US would compromise the NATO alliance but insisted the possible acquisition of the island would serve US interests.
“If it affects NATO, it affects NATO. But they need us much more than we need them. I will tell you that right now,” Mr Trump said.
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It comes amid reports that the UK is in discussions with other NATO countries to send British troops to Greenland to deter “Russian aggression”.
On Thursday, Sir Keir Starmer told Mr Trump in a call that “more could be done to protect” the Arctic region and agreed with the president on the “need to deter an increasingly aggressive Russia in the High North”.
Asked on the Trevor Phillips On Sunday show yesterday, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander did not rule out that UK forces could be stationed in the territory.
She said: “You would expect us to be talking to all our allies in NATO about what we can do to deter Russian aggression in the Arctic Circle. And whilst it hasn’t had the devastating consequences that we have seen in Ukraine, they are becoming increasingly active in the region, Russia.
“That’s why we signed the defence agreement with Norway in December, which is going to lead to us jointly operating a fleet of Type 26 anti-submarine warfare frigates there, to hunt down Russian submarines, and to make sure that we can protect our critical infrastructure under the sea.
“It’s why we have agreed to do more joint training at the Royal Marines with Norway and why we have agreed to, pre-deploy, some of our equipment to Norway, so that we can act quickly if necessary. And of course… we’re a leading member in the Joint Expeditionary Force, which is a coalition of ten likeminded nations who see defence and deterrence in the Arctic Circle.”
Germany has also confirmed talks are under way in NATO to bolster security in the Arctic.
Responding to Mr Trump’s claims that the US needed to own Greenland to prevent Russia or China from occupying it in the future, Beijing said the United States should not use other countries as an excuse to advance its own strategic interests.
China in 2018 declared itself a “near-Arctic state” in a bid to acquire more influence in the region. Beijing has also said it wants to develop a “Polar Silk Road” as part of its global Belt and Road Initiative.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said: “The Arctic concerns the overall interests of the international community,” adding that China’s activities in the Arctic aim to promote stability and sustainable development in the region.
Ms Mao also said that all countries’ rights and freedoms to operate lawfully in the Arctic should be respected.
US secretary of state Marco Rubio will hold talks with Denmark about the Greenland issue next week.
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White House officials have floated the idea of purchasing the territory instead of taking it by force, and Reuters reported on Thursday that they are exploring the possibility of offering payments directly to Greenlanders to encourage them to break away from Denmark and possibly align with the United States.
Greenland, home to about 57,000 people, is defended by Denmark. Denmark’s military, however, is significantly smaller than that of the United States.
