Ankara, July 8 (EFE).- US President Donald Trump on Wednesday renewed his push for control of Greenland, calling the Arctic island «very important» to American and global security while arguing it was «not important for Denmark.»
He said he would raise the issue with NATO leaders, asserting that Greenland was posing «a big problem» for Washington.
Trump reiterated his desire for the United States to control the autonomous island, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
“We took Greenland and then stupidly we gave it back. We shouldn’t have given it back to them because we’re the ones that need it. We need it for the protection of the world — not just the United States,” Trump said after meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
He recalled how Denmark was defeated by the Nazis “in less than a day.”
“And when that happened, they immediately transferred it (Greenland) to us. We had it, and we were protecting it. Then we gave it back. I don’t know why, and I wouldn’t have done it,» he added.
He said he would “have the big meeting soon” to expose the problems amid his government’s rift with European allies over their refusal to join the war against Iran.
«Greenland is a big problem for us,» Trump said. «The other big problem is the fact that when we wanted them, we didn’t want them badly, but we did say, ‘If you want to join us,’ and they all said no, but when they could have.»
Standing alongside Trump, Rutte did not directly address the US president’s criticism of Danish sovereignty over Greenland. Instead, he said the two had «made a pact in Davos» and that he would ensure it was implemented «step by step.»
The NATO chief also praised Trump for securing allies’ commitment at last year’s summit in The Hague to increase defense spending.
«Without you in this chair, this would not have happened,» Rutte said.
On Tuesday, after arriving for the summit, Trump reiterated his claim over the Arctic island, a stance that has deepened tensions between Washington and several European allies.
He also accused Denmark of «not spending money to actually help» Greenland and criticized European countries for rejecting his position despite «all the money» the US spends to help protect them against Russia.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded on Wednesday by reiterating that Greenland «is not for sale» and pledging that Copenhagen would defend «every inch of its territory.»
“Our position is clear as it has been all through. Greenland is, of course, not for sale,” Frederiksen said. “We hope that all, including all allies, will respect the Greenlandic people’s right for self-determination and we are a sovereign state, and we need everybody to respect our territorial integrity and our sovereignty.”
The leaders of Iceland, the Netherlands and Latvia also voiced support for Denmark and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening security in the Arctic. EFE
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