Trump Breaks Down Why He Wants to Take Over Greenland
"We need Greenland for national protection," Trump told reporters in Florida, highlighting what he characterized as insufficient military safeguards by Denmark, which administers the sprawling territory.
The president's statements followed his designation of Jeff Landry, Louisiana's governor, as Washington's special envoy to Greenland.
Trump described Landry as "a great guy. He's a deal guy."
"We need Greenland for national security, not for minerals...We need Greenland for national security. And if you take a look at Greenland, you look up and down the coast, you have Russian and Chinese ships all over the place. We need it for national security. We have to have it...Greenland's a big deal," he added.
Prior to these remarks, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen issued a united statement asserting Greenland remains under Greenlander sovereignty.
"You cannot annex another country. Not even with an argument about international security. Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders and the U.S. shall not take over Greenland," the statement said.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen announced Monday that authorities will summon U.S. Ambassador Kenneth A. Howery for clarification following Trump's appointment of Landry.
Landry, meanwhile, expressed gratitude to Trump via U.S. social media platform X, stating: "It's an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S. This in no way affects my position as Governor of Louisiana!"
Once a Danish colony, Greenland secured home rule status in 1979 while maintaining its position as a Danish territory.
In 2008, Greenland conducted a referendum where 75.5% of voters endorsed the Self-Government Act, which became operational on June 21, 2009, extending Greenland's autonomy within the Kingdom of Denmark while preserving Danish jurisdiction over foreign affairs, defense and security matters.
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