said the U.S. should acquire the , not lease it, arguing that the Arctic territory lacks sufficient defense capabilities and warning that Russia or China will move to fill the gap if Washington does not act.
As he said, this is an issue of critical importance for the security of the US and the .
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday night, Trump was asked about Greenland and whether the United States has made a proposal to Denmark to acquire the territory.
“Two Dog Sleds”
“I haven’t done that. Greenland should go ahead with the deal, because Greenland does not want to see Russia or China in control,” he said. “Essentially, their defense is two dog sleds. Do you know this? Do you know what their defense is? Two sleds with dogs.”
“At the same time, there are Russian destroyers and submarines, and Chinese destroyers and submarines everywhere,” Trump continued. “We are not going to allow this. A. In any case, our allies need us more than we need them.”
We want full possession of Greenland
The American president also clarified that his administration is not discussing the possibility of a short-term lease of Greenland, but only its full acquisition by Denmark.
“If we don’t do it, Russia or China will — and that’s not going to happen while I’m president,” he said.
These statements came after a new reaction from Greenland’s leadership, which rejected calls by Trump and officials of his administration for the US to take control of the island.
Several Trump administration officials have echoed the president’s position, arguing that Greenland’s strategic geographic location makes US control a matter of national security.
Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and four political party leaders said Friday night that the island has no intention of becoming part of either the United States or Denmark, according to the Associated Press.
Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark and a longtime US ally, has repeatedly rejected suggestions by Donald Trump that Washington should gain control of the island.
