US President Donald Trump may have forgotten about Greenland for now, but Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that he will return to his idea at some point, writes Politico.
Since taking office, Trump has repeatedly said that he wants to acquire the autonomous Danish territory, which is rich in practically untapped rare earth reserves. He has also not ruled out sending the army to the Arctic island, and has admitted that he could also apply economic pressure.
In recent months, Trump has not mentioned Greenland, and his attention is occupied by other issues. However, Frederiksen said on the 7th of October that the US president had only calmed down for a moment. The prime minister told the Danish parliament that it only seems like a distant issue at the moment. She added that it might seem like Denmark can breathe a sigh of relief, but in her opinion it is not.
Greenland’s 60,000 people still live in fear of an American takeover.
Frederiksen said: “Imagine what it’s like to live in one of the small settlements along the coast … when the world’s strongest superpower has talked about you as something that can be bought, as something that can be owned, as something that must be had.” She said that no matter what Greenlanders choose, Denmark will support them.
Since Trump’s aggressive statements, Greenland has been looking for ways to strengthen relations with the European Union and other partners, and is preparing to sign a mineral deal with Britain. Greenland’s Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt told Politico in May that Greenland is interested in working with like-minded countries, and condemned Trump’s arm rattling.
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