Trump reiterates Greenland "should be controlled by US", but adds move "would hurt relationship with NATO"
Ankara, July 8
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday reiterated that Greenland "should be controlled by the United States," arguing that the Arctic island is strategically important for American security, CNN reported.
Speaking during a bilateral meeting ahead of the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump acknowledged that pursuing US control of Greenland could affect Washington's ties with its NATO allies.
But, he added, "that would hurt my relationship with NATO," according to CNN.
Trump argued that Denmark has not invested enough in Greenland and said the island's strategic importance is growing as China and Russia expand their presence in the Arctic.
"Greenland doesn't help Denmark, Denmark doesn't spend money to really help Greenland, but it's an important part for the United States," Trump said, as quoted by CNN.
He added that Greenland "should be controlled by the United States, not by Denmark."
According to CNN, Trump has previously declined to rule out military action to acquire Greenland, though he later shifted to advocating a long-term framework agreement during the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier this year.
CNN further reported that members of the Trump administration have continued to leave open the possibility of more aggressive measures, arguing that Greenland is critical to US national security.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday attended a dinner for NATO leaders at the Bestepe presidential compound in Ankara, where he was welcomed alongside other leaders, CNN reported.
According to CNN, Trump arrived after a series of world leaders, each of whom was received to the sound of a military marching band. He again greeted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warmly before the leaders entered the venue.
CNN reported that the dinner marked Trump's first opportunity during the summit to interact with other NATO leaders, including several whom he has publicly criticised in recent months.
Among the leaders who arrived ahead of Trump were French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, all of whom have previously faced criticism from the US President, CNN reported.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Honestly, watching Trump navigate these NATO meetings is like watching a bull in a china shop. He's rude, he's demanding, and now he wants an entire island? Greenland's people should have the final say, not some distant superpower. India knows a thing or two about respecting territorial sovereignty!
From a US perspective, the strategic importance of Greenland is clear, especially with Russia and China in the Arctic. But the way Trump goes about it—threatening allies, talking about military action—is absolutely wrong. Diplomacy works better than bulldozing your way through the world stage.
In India, we watch these geopolitical games with great interest. It's ironic that the US criticizes China for territorial expansionism while trying to grab Greenland. Maybe Trump should first fix his country's internal issues before eyeing someone else's land. 😒
As an Indian, I find Trump's approach childish. He's treating international relations like a business deal. Greenland is a self-governing territory, not a company to be acquired. NATO was meant to protect its members, not to be an instrument for US expansion. This is why many countries are losing trust in Western alliances.
Trump is always saying things that are out of the box, but this one is completely out of this world! Greenland belongs to Denmark (and its people), and trying to take it by force or pressure is not how allies behave. India believes in mutual respect and strategic autonomy—Trump should learn that. 🤔
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