Denmark prime minister says Greenland not for sale after Trump remark
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Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen speaks during a joint press conference with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi on Nov. 19, 2024 in Kyiv, Ukraine. Photo: Vitalii Nosach/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images
The Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen said on Tuesday that Greenland is not for sale after President-elect Trump refused to commit to avoiding use of military force to take control of Greenland.
Why it matters: Trump's remark, which he also applied to the Panama Canal at a press conference on Tuesday, is an escalation of his rhetoric regarding Greenland and the Panama Canal.
- Frederiksen told Danish television that she is glad there is more American interest in Greenland but stressed everyone needs to respect the decision of the people of Greenland.
- Both Panama and Denmark are allies of the U.S., with Denmark being a member of NATO.
- Trump's son Donald Trump Jr. landed on Tuesday in Greenland for a visit. He was not expected to meet any officials.
The latest: Greenlandic Prime Minister Múte Egede said on Facebook Tuesday: "Let me repeat it — Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders. Our future and fight for independence is our business.
- "Danes, Americans and everyone else can have opinions, but we should not be caught up in the hysteria and pointing fingers at others. Because our future is ours and must be shaped by us."
Driving the news: In recent weeks, since Trump won the election he has floated acquiring Greenland, reclaiming the Panama Canal, annexing Canada, and potentially invading Mexico — to the intense consternation of their leaders.
- Trump said at the press conference on Tuesday the U.S. needs the Panama Canal for its economic security and Greenland — an autonomous area that is part of Denmark — for national security reasons.
- When Trump was asked whether he can assure both Panama and Greenland that he will not use military force he said "no."
- "I am not going to commit to that. It might be that you have to do something," Trump said.
- He did, however, rule out using military force against Canada and said the U.S. can get what it wants from Canada through economic coercion.
State of play: Both the Danish government and the government of the Greenland autonomy have publicly rejected Trump's proposal to buy the area.
- On Tuesday, Trump floated the claim that Denmark might not have legal rights in Greenland, although there is an overall international recognition of Danish sovereignty over Greenland.
- "But if they have (a legal right) they need to give it up," Trump said and threatened that if Denmark doesn't agree to his proposal regarding Greenland he will impose "tariffs at a high level" against Denmark.
- The president-elect also called for a vote in Greenland on whether the local population wants independence from Denmark or whether it wants to be part of the United States.
What we're watching: Trump also floated demands toward Mexico and said he wants to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America."
Editor's note: This story has been updated with comment from Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Múte Egede.
