Trump says US needs Greenland for security, flags Russia and China threat

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday local time asserted that Greenland is important for American national security adding that if the United States does not step in Russia and China could acquire the Arctic region Speaking at the White House during a signing ceremony Trump said We need Greenland for national security so we are going to see what happens We have a very good relationship with DenmarkTrump further added that if the US refrains from asserting its interests Russia and China are going to go in If we dont go in Russia and China are going to go in It is not a thing that Denmark can do anything about but we can do everything about it he added Meanwhile Denmarks Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Greenlands Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt hold talks at the White House with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco RubioBoth leaders address the press at the Danish embassy in Washington rejecting any prospect of the United States acquiring Greenland even as they announced the formation of a highlevel working group with Washington to explore ways to address American security concerns in the Arctic We agreed that it makes sense to try to sit down on a high level to explore whether there are possibilities to accommodate the concerns of the president while we at the same time respect the red lines of the Kingdom of Denmark Denmarks FM said Rasmussen added that Trump has expressed a desire to conquer Greenland but that he believes the meeting has managed to change the American positionIts clear that the President has this wish of conquering over Greenland We made it very clear that this is not in the interest of the Kingdom The Premier made it very clear yesterday that Greenland for the time being and for the future will remain within the Kingdom of Denmark and therefore this is a common position that we want to work with our American friends and allies on but it must be respectful cooperation and it must respect the red lines Rasmussen saidRasmussen underlined Denmark and Greenlands close alignment with Washington on security recalling Danish troops involvement alongside US forces in Afghanistan in the 2000s We look at ourselves as the USs closest allies he said adding that while visions for Greenland may differ the parties share the same concerns about Arctic securityHe said there was no instant threat from China and Russia that Denmark and Greenland cant accommodate There is no Chinese presence currently in Greenland he said dismissing fears that this would necessarily be the case in 10 or 20 years from now He reiterated that Greenland through Denmark is a member of NATO and is covered by Article 5 on collective defenceRasmussen also highlighted that Denmark has already stepped up its security responsibilities by increasing military funding including for ships drones and fighter jets and said Copenhagen is prepared to go further The US already has wide military access to Greenland as part of an agreement dating back to the 1950s he notedFurther Rasmussen said Denmark and the US will establish a highlevel working group to explore whether a common way forward can be found The group should focus on addressing American security concerns while respecting the red lines of the Kingdom of Denmark he said adding that it will meet for the first time in the coming weeksRasmussen said the prospect of the US acquiring Greenland is absolutely not necessary and pointed to Denmarks longstanding ties with Washington We have the longestlasting diplomatic relationship with the United States of any ally This is a perfect framework which could be used to come to a mutual agreement he said while acknowledging that accommodating Trumps concerns without crossing Denmarks red lines remains uncertainAnswering a question from the BBC Rasmussen said he has known Trump from his previous tenure as Danish prime minister and that Denmark shares to some extent Trumps concerns about security in the ArcticMeanwhile Greenland FM Motzfeldt asserted that while Greenland must strengthen cooperation with the US as an ally this does not mean surrendering sovereignty That doesnt mean we want to be owned by the United States she saidShe later added that it is always in Greenlands interest to find the right path forward and to work towards greater mutual understandingCalling for a return to stable ties Motzfeldt said The US and Greenland need to return to the normalised relationship we used to have Its in both countries interest to find a balance and work as allies We are allies we are friends She added that Greenland has emphasised so many times where we standThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever