Trump says U.S. will take Greenland ‘one way or the other,’ China hits back over Arctic threats
His comments come as Danish and Greenlandic envoys are expected in Washington this week for talks.
In a Facebook post, Denmark’s Frederiksen said on Sunday that “disagreements and conflicts between the United States and Europe only benefit our adversaries. They weaken us and strengthen them.”
“Denmark is a loyal and strong ally. We are in the middle of a major rearmament and we are ready to defend our values - wherever necessary – also in the Arctic,” Frederiksen added. “We believe in international law and the right of people to self-determination.”
Frederiksen said last week that a U.S. attack on a NATO state would mean the end of the alliance, a message echoed Monday by European Union Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius.
Kubilius also said that the European treaty obliged member states to come to Copenhagen’s aid in the event of military aggression, but that “this will depend to a large extent on Denmark.”
Trump told reporters on Air Force One that while he “loves” the alliance, NATO needs the United States more than the other way around.
Trump also reiterated his previous disparaging comment about Greenland’s defense, saying it consists of “two dog sleds.”
“Meanwhile, you have Russian destroyers and submarines and Chinese destroyers and submarines everywhere,” he added.
Experts have questioned the presence of the ships, and Beijing on Monday rejected Trump’s claims that China had designs on Greenland.
“The Arctic involves the collective interests of the international community,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a daily press briefing, adding that China’s activities in the region “promote peace, stability and sustainable development” while respecting international law.
“The United States should not use other countries as an excuse to pursue its own private interests,” she added.
