US President-elect Donald Trump has threatened “very high” tariffs on Denmark if it resists his efforts to take control of Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory.
Asked on Tuesday whether he would rule out the use of military or economic force to take control of the strategically important island, he said: “No, I can’t convince you of either.”
“I can say this, we need them for economic security,” he said.
Trump’s remarks came as his son, Donald Trump Jr, visited Greenland on the same day.
Before arriving in the capital Nuuk, Trump Jr said he was going on a “personal day trip” to talk to people and had no scheduled meetings with government officials.
When asked about Trump Jr.’s visit to Greenland, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told Danish TV that “Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders” and that only local people can determine their future.
She agreed that “Greenland is not for sale”, but emphasized that Denmark needs very close cooperation with the USA, a close NATO ally.
This is a developing story. More updates to come.
