Trump: America Needs to Own Greenland to Deter Russia and China

SadaNews - President Donald Trump confirmed late Friday that the United States needs to own Greenland to prevent Russia or China from occupying it in the future.

Trump told reporters at the White House during a meeting with oil company executives: "We will do something about Greenland whether they like it or not. Because if we don't do that, Russia or China will take over Greenland, and Russia or China will not be our neighbors.".

Trump stated that the United States must acquire Greenland, even though it already has a military presence on the island under a 1951 agreement, because such agreements are not enough to ensure the defense of Greenland. The island, which has a population, is an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark.

He added: "Ownership must be defended. Not rental agreements. And we have to defend Greenland. If we don't, China or Russia will do it.".

Trump and White House officials are discussing various plans to bring Greenland under U.S. control, including the potential use of the U.S. military and paying financial amounts to Greenland's residents in an attempt to convince them to separate from Denmark and possibly join the United States.

Leaders in Denmark and across Europe have expressed strong displeasure in recent days at Trump's statements and those of other White House officials asserting their claim to Greenland. The United States and Denmark are both members of NATO and have a mutual defense agreement.

On Tuesday, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Britain, and Denmark issued a joint statement that only Greenland and Denmark can decide matters related to their relations.