New Delhi, Jan 21: US President Donald Trump has doubled down on his push to take control of Greenland, declaring on social media that there is “no going back” and that Greenland is “imperative” for global security, reports the BBC.
Asked at a White House press conference how far he was willing to go to acquire the Danish territory, Trump replied, “You’ll find out,” fuelling concerns in Europe about the use of economic or even military pressure. He has not ruled out the use of force, offering a “no comment” when asked directly.
The remarks have triggered sharp reactions from US allies. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, French President Emmanuel Macron warned of a “shift towards a world without rules”, while Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the “old order is not coming back”.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who will be soon in India said the European Union stood in “full solidarity” with Greenland and Denmark, stressing that their sovereignty is “non-negotiable”.
Trump has also threatened to impose a 10% tariff on all imports from eight European countries from February 1 if they oppose his Greenland plan. Macron has criticised the growing use of tariffs as political leverage, calling it “fundamentally unacceptable”, and has urged the EU to consider retaliatory measures. Reports suggest the European Parliament may suspend approval of a US-EU trade deal agreed in July as reported by international media.
The controversy has also raised questions about Nato. When asked whether acquiring Greenland was worth risking a rupture in the alliance, Trump said Nato would be “happy” and insisted the territory was needed for “world security”. However, he again questioned whether Nato allies would come to America’s aid if required.
Greenland’s leaders have firmly rejected Trump’s overtures. Trump was scheduled to attend the Davos forum on Wednesday, but a minor electrical issue forced Air Force One to turn back. The White House said he would travel on another aircraft, though it remains unclear how the delay will affect his schedule.
