Washington, DC [US]: US President Donald Trump has expressed confidence that the United States will annex Greenland, stating that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte could play a key role in the process.
Speaking to reporters during a meeting with Rutte at the White House on Thursday, Trump emphasized the strategic importance of Greenland for “international security” and hinted at future discussions on the matter.
“Well, I think it’ll happen. And I’m just thinking, I didn’t give it much thought before, but I’m sitting with a man that could be very instrumental. You know, Mark, we need that for international security, not just security, international. We have a lot of our favourite players, you know, cruising around the coast, and we have to be careful. And we’ll be talking to you,” Trump said, addressing Rutte. “It’s a very appropriate, really a very appropriate question.”
While Trump pointed to growing Chinese and Russian influence in the Arctic as a concern, Rutte distanced NATO from involvement in any potential acquisition of Greenland.
“When it comes to Greenland, yes or no joining the US, I would leave that outside, for me, this discussion because I don’t want to drag NATO in that,” Rutte stated.
However, Rutte acknowledged Arctic security concerns, adding, “When it comes to the high north and the Arctic, you are totally right. The Chinese are now using these routes. We know that the Russians are rearming. We know we have a lack of icebreakers. So, the fact that seven outside Russia, there are seven Arctic countries working together on this under US leadership. It’s very important to make sure that that region, that part of the world, stays safe, and we know things are changing there, and we have to be there.”
On March 10, Trump publicly supported Greenland’s right to determine its own future while also encouraging them to join the United States.
“As I made clear during my Joint Address to Congress, the United States strongly supports the people of Greenland’s right to determine their own future,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “We will continue to KEEP YOU SAFE, as we have since World War II. We are ready to INVEST BILLIONS OF DOLLARS to create new jobs and MAKE YOU RICH — And, if you so choose, we welcome you to be a part of the Greatest Nation anywhere in the World, the United States of America!”
For months, Trump has actively promoted the idea of the US acquiring Greenland. Before taking office on January 20, he declined to rule out military action as a means of annexing the territory.
When asked whether he could guarantee that the US would avoid using military or economic pressure to gain control of Greenland or the Panama Canal, Trump replied, “No, I can’t assure you on either of those two. But I can say this — we need them for economic security,” CBS News reported.