The President of the United States, Donald Trump, warned this Friday that his administration will act in Greenland “whether they like it or not” to prevent Russia or China from “occupying” the island.
In a press conference about oil, he stated: “we are not going to have Russia or China as neighbors”.
Trump said he would prefer to achieve it "in the easiest way" through an agreement, but he added that, if that does not happen, they will do it "in the hardest way."
The White House confirmed on Tuesday that Trump reactivated his interest in acquiring Greenland and that his administration does not rule out any options, “including military,” to ensure control over the territory, according to the same document.
The presidential spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, stated that "the acquisition of Greenland is a national security priority" and that Washington is seeking to "protect its strategic interests in the Arctic against its adversaries."
The text places the announcement a few days after the military operation in Venezuela that captured Nicolás Maduro and states that Washington's stance has "raised alarms" in Europe.
Trump believes that Greenland —administered by Denmark and with significant internal autonomy— is key for defense reasons and natural resources.
In response to questions on the subject, he said: “We will take care of Greenland in two months. Let's talk about Greenland in 20 days.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed to a group of lawmakers that Trump "would be willing to buy Greenland" and indicated that his team is preparing a plan to assess the diplomatic and economic avenues for that acquisition, according to the text provided by the user.
The European reaction was described as forceful. Leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Denmark issued a joint statement emphasizing that security in the Arctic must be achieved collectively, with NATO allies and with respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of borders.
The statement concluded with a phrase: "Greenland belongs to its people. Only Denmark and Greenland can decide on its future."
For his part, the president of the Greenlandic autonomous government, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, urged avoiding panic, expressed openness to strengthening ties with Washington, but warned that "Greenland's sovereignty is not for sale."
The document summarizes that Greenland— with "only 57,000 inhabitants" and an economy dependent on fishing and Danish aid—once again finds itself "at the center" of a geopolitical dispute between Washington and Europe over the strategic control of the Arctic.
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