'If we don't do it, Russia or China will take over': Donald Trump explains intentions regarding Greenland
Photo: Donald Trump, President of the United States (Getty Images)
US leader Donald Trump said the United States intends to "do something with Greenland," warning that otherwise Russia or China could take control of it, something Washington does not want to see, according to a White House broadcast.
When asked how much money he would be willing to offer Greenland’s residents to secure their consent for the autonomous territory to come under US ownership, a scenario reportedly discussed in the White House, with figures of $100,000 per person mentioned, US President Donald Trump responded as follows:
"Right now we are going to do something on Greenland whether they like it or not because if we don't do it, Russia or China will take over Greenland, and we're not going to have Russia or China as a neighbor," the US leader said.
He added that he would prefer to reach a deal the easiest way, but if that proves impossible, the United States would be ready to pursue a more difficult path.
Trump also stressed that he is a fan of Denmark, which he said "has been good to him," but argued that "the fact that a ship landed there 500 years ago does not mean they own this land."
"I would like to make a deal the easy way, but if we don't do it the easy way, we will do it the hard way," Trump concluded.
Trump's plans for Greenland
Trump has previously suggested that Greenland could be "reclaimed" even at the cost of a breakup of NATO, arguing that the alliance is ineffective without a leading US role.
Trump began speaking publicly about Greenland after comments involving Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. In Denmark, of which Greenland is an autonomous territory, officials responded sharply to US claims.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen urged Trump to stop making threats toward Greenland.
