US President Donald Trump is discussing "a range of options" to take control of Greenland, including using the military, the White House has said. In a response to the BBC, the US administration described Greenland - a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark and a NATO member - as a "national security priority" for the United States.
The statement comes just hours after several European leaders issued a joint statement in support of Denmark, stressing that Greenland belongs to its people and that any decision on its status is up to Denmark and Greenland alone. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that any US attack would mean the end of NATO.
The White House said that “the president and his team are reviewing various options for this important foreign policy objective” and that using the military “is always an option available to the commander in chief.” Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers that the US is not planning an invasion, but is considering the possibility of purchasing Greenland from Denmark or other forms of agreement.
In response, six European countries – the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain – came out in support of Denmark, stressing respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and the principles of the UN Charter. Greenland’s Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, called for “respectful dialogue” and stressed that Greenland’s status is based on international law.
The debate has been reignited following the US military intervention in Venezuela and the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro. Meanwhile, officials close to Trump have openly stated that it is the “official position” of the US government that Greenland should become part of the US, adding to concerns in Europe and among the island’s own inhabitants, most of whom oppose any union with the United States.
