US President Donald Trump has reiterated his plans to annex Greenland, stating that he believes it will happen. Speaking to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House, Trump said, “I think it will happen, Mark. We need it for international security.” He was referring to the increasing presence of Russian and Chinese ships off the coast of the Arctic island.
In response, the Prime Minister of Greenland, Múte Egede, has expressed his opposition to Trump’s claim of ownership over the island. On Facebook, he wrote, “Now the US President has once again ventured the idea of annexing us. I can in no way accept that.” He added that he respects the recent election results, in which a majority of Greenlanders voted for parties that stand for the island’s long-term independence. “We must now strengthen our rejection of Trump: Stop treating us with disrespect. Enough is enough” his post continued.
Egede has previously stated that the Greenlanders do not want to be Americans. NATO Secretary General Rutte, during his meeting with Trump, emphasized that he does not intend to involve NATO in the Greenland issue. However, he did express agreement with Trump on the importance of the Arctic region and the need for a presence there. “The Chinese are now using these routes. We know the Russians are modernizing their military. We know we lack icebreakers” Rutte said.
Trump had previously threatened to annex Greenland during his presidential campaign and last week, he reaffirmed his plans to take control of the resource-rich island during a speech to the US Congress.