US President Donald Trump has made clear his intentions of taking over Greenland, at times, threatening detractors — especially European countries — of additional tariffs for opposing his demands, while also citing Chinese and Russian threats over the island.
Earlier in the day, Trump said he no longer needs to think "purely of peace" after being snubbed for a Nobel, adding that the world will not be safe until Washington controls Greenland.
The US President has, however, not made it clear whether he would use force to take over Greenland, especially since talks with Denmark have failed to yield any results.
Also Read: ‘No longer obliged to think of peace’: Trump links Greenland threats to Nobel Peace Prize snub
The US President, in an interview with NBC, declined to say whether he would use force to seize Greenland. Asked if he would use force to seize Greenland, the US president said, “No comment."
He also said that Europe should focus on Ukraine war, rather than Greenland.
{{/usCountry}}He also said that Europe should focus on Ukraine war, rather than Greenland.
{{/usCountry}}“Europe ought to focus on the war with Russia and Ukraine because, frankly, you see what that’s gotten them,” Trump said, adding “That’s what Europe should focus on — not Greenland.”
Despite a clear opposition from Europe and his NATO allies, Trump has put relations to the test with threats to take over Greenland “one way or the other”.
In a big to step up his push, he also announced last Saturday that he would impose 10 per cent tariffs on Denmark and seven other European nations until a deal is struck on the US control over Greenland.
Trump links his stance on Greenland to not getting a Nobel
Trump wrote to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, citing the Nobel Committee’s decision not to award him the Nobel Peace Prize as a reason for a shift in his approach to global affairs.
In a letter to the Norway PM, Trump said he “no longer feel an obligation” to think purely of peace as the country didn't award him the peace prize.
Also Read: America’s hunger for Greenland is tearing NATO apart
Norway is one of the countries which has been a target to the new tariffs, which come into effect on February 1.
Trump rejected the idea that Norway has no control over the committee's decisions on the Nobel Peace Prize.
“Norway totally controls it despite what they say. They like to say they have nothing to do with it, but they have everything thing to do with it,” he told NBC News.
He added, “I don’t care about the Nobel Prize.”