Washington: After the attack on Venezuela and the attempt to apprehend its president, Nicolás Maduro, Donald Trump's attention has turned to Greenland. Acquiring Greenland is a top priority on the Trump administration's agenda. The White House confirmed this, stating that the Trump administration is discussing options for acquiring the Arctic island. It also said that using the US military would always be an option to achieve this. In a statement to Reuters news agency, the White House said that given the increasing strategic rivalry in the Arctic, Donald Trump considers buying Greenland a national security priority for the United States.
US rhetoric on Greenland intensifies
Following the attack on Venezuela, President Donald Trump has intensified his rhetoric regarding Greenland. However, Greenland, with a population of approximately 57,000, has rejected the idea of becoming part of the United States. This autonomous territory of Denmark, located in the Arctic, has previously made it clear that the island is not for sale. However, President Trump has not backed down from his statements about acquiring it.
Meanwhile, the Greenlandic administration has said that following Trump's latest claims on the Arctic island, it has requested a meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in conjunction with Denmark. Greenland's Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt wrote in a Facebook post that the purpose of the meeting is to discuss the important statements made by the US regarding Greenland.
US options for Greenland
The White House said that Trump and his advisors are discussing several options for acquiring Greenland. It further stated that using the US military is certainly always an option for the Commander-in-Chief. A senior US official told Reuters that discussions are underway in the Oval Office, considering several options. These include directly purchasing Greenland or establishing a Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the territory.
Such an agreement would not make Greenland part of the United States, but it would give Washington significant influence over its defense and foreign policy. No details have yet emerged regarding the potential purchase price. The official also said that Trump's interest in the matter has not diminished, despite opposition from NATO countries. He indicated that the issue is not going away and that Trump will pursue it during the remaining three years of his term.
