Trump Says It "Needs Greenland" for Security, Ignoring Denmark's Appeal

Washington: The United States President has ignored Denmark PM Mette Frederiksen's appeal and said Greenland is vital to American national security. On Monday, President Donald Trump interacted with reporters aboard the Air Force One and stressed that Washington "needs Greenland" because of its strategic location and growing interest from rival powers in the Arctic.

What did Trump say?

"I will say this about Greenland - we need Greenland from a national security standpoint. It’s very strategic right now. Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place," Trump said. 

The United States President pointed to the presence of Russian and Chinese activities in the region and said the US cannot leave such an important territory to others. 

What's Denmark saying in response?

Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen blasted the remarks and urged the US to stop what she called threats against a long-time ally. She firmly rejected any notion that Greenland could be taken over by the US and reminded Washington that Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. 

Frederiksen said the idea of annexing Greenland makes “absolutely no sense” and stressed that Denmark has been strengthening its own Arctic defence capabilities. She also said that existing defence ties with the US already secure the region without changing Greenland’s status. 

“It makes absolutely no sense to talk about the US needing to take over Greenland. The US has no right to annex any of the three countries in the Danish Kingdom," the Danish PM said.

Does Greenland want to be part of the US?

On Sunday, the prime minister of Greenland, Jens-Frederik Nielsen has called Washington's comments disrespectful and made it clear that Greenlanders will decide their own future. Greenland has self-government and retains the right to move toward full independence from Denmark if it chooses. 

"When the President of the United States says that ‘we need Greenland’ and links us to Venezuela and military intervention, it’s not just wrong. It’s disrespectful," he said.