US President Donald Trump has vowed that military force remains an option for acquiring Greenland, following a scolding from Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen over the US administration’s tone in criticizing Denmark and Greenland.
Trump, speaking to NBC News, said “I never take military force off the table” when asked about the possibility of using force to acquire Greenland. However, he also suggested that there may be a good chance of achieving the goal without resorting to military action.
The tensions between the US and Denmark are centered on Trump’s push to annex Greenland, which is currently under Danish control as part of NATO. The move has sparked outrage among many in Greenland, with some lawmakers forming a coalition to resist the overtures.
Rasmussen had previously expressed his country’s willingness to cooperate with the US, but warned that Denmark does not appreciate the “tone” in which criticism was being delivered. He reminded viewers of the 1951 defense agreement between Denmark and the US, which offers opportunities for increased military presence on the island.
Denmark has since announced significant investments in Arctic defense, including a $2.1 billion financial commitment to improve security. The move is seen as a countermeasure to Trump’s push for annexation.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/greenland-denmark-vance-visit-us-base-834785773189f2f12ec6b09f8c5a9321