WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump reiterated his interest in acquiring Greenland in his address to Congress on Tuesday, painting a picture of prosperity and safety for the \u201cincredible people\u201d of the island, an autonomous territory of the kingdom of Denmark.
\n\u201cWe will keep you safe, we will make you rich, and together, we will take Greenland to heights like you have never thought possible before,\u201d Trump said.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s a very small population, a very, very large piece of land, and very, very important for military security,\u201d he added.
\nOpinion polls suggest that most Greenlanders oppose joining the US, although a majority favor eventual independence from Denmark.
\nEven before starting his second term as president, Trump said he hoped to make Greenland a part of the United States, even though NATO ally Denmark says it is not for sale.
\nGreenland\u2019s strategic location and rich mineral resources could benefit the US It lies along the shortest route from Europe to North America, vital for the US ballistic missile warning system.
\n\u201cWe need it really for international world security,\u201d Trump said.
\nIn his speech, Trump said he had a message for the people of Greenland. \u201cWe strongly support your right to determine your own future, and if you choose, we welcome you into the United States of America,\u201d Trump said.
\nHe said his administration was \u201cworking with everybody involved\u201d to try to get Greenland, but also added, \u201cI think we\u2019re going to get it, one way or the other, we\u2019re gonna get it,\u201d to laughter from his fellow Republicans in the House of Representatives chamber.
\nTrump\u2019s interest in Greenland has invigorated that country\u2019s independence movement, sparking calls for swift secession discussions with Denmark, its former colonial ruler.
\nBut Greenland\u2019s ruling Inuit Ataqatigiit party has said it will not rush an independence vote through after a March 11 general election, cautioning about possible economic and welfare implications.
\n\u201cThe future of Greenland is really for the people of Greenland to decide,\u201d Denmark\u2019s UN Ambassador Christina Markus Lassen told reporters on Monday. \u201cIndependence is possible and they have the right to self-determination.\u201d
\nLassen said Denmark agreed with the Trump administration that in the current geopolitical environment there was a need to look at further strengthening security around the Arctic and \u201cthat\u2019s something we\u2019ve been working together with NATO and the US on for a while.\u201d
\n\u201cWe have a very close transatlantic bond with the United States. We\u2019ve been working very closely with the US on security matters related to Greenland and the Arctic for decades,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump reiterated his interest in acquiring Greenland in his address to Congress on Tuesday, painting a picture of prosperity and safety for the \u201cincredible people\u201d of the island, an autonomous territory of the kingdom of Denmark. \u201cWe will keep you safe, we will make you rich, and together, we will take […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":350337,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-465331","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n