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The US is considering a "range of options" to acquire Greenland, including the use of military force to seize the land, the White House has announced. President Donald Trump's ambition to take over Greenland has grown ever since his military took control of Venezuela last weekend.
The White House told the BBC in a statement that the acquisition of Greenland is a matter of "national security priority."
The White House statement came just hours after European leaders voiced support for Denmark, as Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned earlier this week that any US attack would mark the end of Nato.
"The president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the US military is always an option at the Commander-in-Chief's disposal," the White House said.
According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers at a classified briefing that the Trump administration does not simply want to seize Greenland, but buy it from Denmark.
A senior US official, speaking anonymously, told Reuters that Washington’s options include an outright purchase of Greenland or the creation of a Compact of Free Association with the territory.
Earlier, Greenland and Denmark said they had requested an urgent meeting with Rubio to address US claims over the island.
However, Trump, who first expressed his ambitions to buy Greenland during his first presidency, is not the only one who wants to acquire the island. Russia and China have shown interest in Greenland owing to its untapped rare earth deposits.
Leaders from major European powers have issued a joint statement backing Denmark and Greenland, emphasising that the Arctic island belongs to its people, amid renewed interest from US President Donald Trump in acquiring the territory.
“Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland,”
CNN quoted the statement, signed by leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Britain and Denmark, as saying.
The leaders stressed that Arctic security must be ensured collectively with Nato allies, including the United States.
“Nato has made clear that the Arctic region is a priority and European Allies are stepping up,” the statement added. “We and many other Allies have increased our presence, activities and investments, to keep the Arctic safe and to deter adversaries.”
Refresh for updates.
The White House told the BBC in a statement that the acquisition of Greenland is a matter of "national security priority."
The White House statement came just hours after European leaders voiced support for Denmark, as Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned earlier this week that any US attack would mark the end of Nato.
"The president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the US military is always an option at the Commander-in-Chief's disposal," the White House said.
Does the US want to buy Greenland?
According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers at a classified briefing that the Trump administration does not simply want to seize Greenland, but buy it from Denmark.
A senior US official, speaking anonymously, told Reuters that Washington’s options include an outright purchase of Greenland or the creation of a Compact of Free Association with the territory.
Earlier, Greenland and Denmark said they had requested an urgent meeting with Rubio to address US claims over the island.
However, Trump, who first expressed his ambitions to buy Greenland during his first presidency, is not the only one who wants to acquire the island. Russia and China have shown interest in Greenland owing to its untapped rare earth deposits.
'Greenland belongs to its people'
Leaders from major European powers have issued a joint statement backing Denmark and Greenland, emphasising that the Arctic island belongs to its people, amid renewed interest from US President Donald Trump in acquiring the territory.
“Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland,”
The leaders stressed that Arctic security must be ensured collectively with Nato allies, including the United States.
“Nato has made clear that the Arctic region is a priority and European Allies are stepping up,” the statement added. “We and many other Allies have increased our presence, activities and investments, to keep the Arctic safe and to deter adversaries.”
Refresh for updates.
