NATO chief: Issue of whether Greenland stays with Denmark did not come up with Trump
- Trump abruptly stepped back from threats to impose tariffs as leverage to seize Greenland
WASHINGTON: NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said on Wednesday the issue of whether Greenland will remain with Denmark did not come up in his talks with Donald Trump, as the US president stepped back from threats of tariffs and ruled out the use of military force to take control of Greenland.
Rutte made his comments in an interview on Fox News’ “Special Report with Bret Baier” show.
Why it’s important
Earlier in the day, Trump abruptly stepped back from threats to impose tariffs as leverage to seize Greenland, ruled out the use of force, and said a deal was in sight to end a dispute over the Danish territory.
After meeting Rutte, Trump said on Wednesday that Western Arctic allies could forge a new deal over the strategic island territory of 57,000 people that satisfies his desire for a “Golden Dome” missile-defence system and access to critical minerals, while blocking Russia and China’s ambitions in the Arctic.
Trump had previously repeatedly said Washington must own Greenland, an autonomous part of the kingdom of Denmark that houses a US airbase, to prevent Russia or China from occupying the strategically located and minerals-rich Arctic territory.
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