Blinken says Trump bid to take over Greenland ‘not a good idea’ Reuters
PARIS (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday dismissed President-elect Donald Trump’s interest in taking over Greenland, saying it was “obviously not a good” idea and would not happen.
On Tuesday, Trump reiterated his interest in taking control of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, and refused to rule out the power taking control of the vast Arctic island. He said the US needs Greenland for national security reasons.
“I think one of the basic propositions that we have brought to our work in the last four years is that we are stronger, that we are more effective, that we achieve better results when we work closely with our allies, and not by saying or doing things that could alienate them.” , Blinken told reporters at a press conference in Paris with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.
“The idea expressed about Greenland is clearly not a good one, but perhaps more importantly, it’s clearly not going to happen, so we probably shouldn’t waste much time talking about it.”
Denmark’s foreign minister said Wednesday that Greenland could become independent if its residents wanted it, but it was unlikely that it would become an American state.
Trump, who takes office on January 20, has signaled that he will pursue a foreign policy unbound by diplomatic niceties, also refusing to rule out military or economic action as part of his open desire for the US to regain control of the Panama Canal.
In 2019, Trump postponed a planned visit to Denmark after Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen rejected his idea for the US to buy Greenland, which was a Danish colony until 1953 and is now a semi-sovereign territory under the Danish kingdom.
Greenland, part of NATO through Denmark’s membership, is of strategic importance to the US military and its ballistic missile early warning system, since the shortest route from Europe to North America runs through the Arctic island.
Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede said that the island is not for sale and in his New Year’s speech reinforced the call for independence.