Former NATO director cautions Trump to keep his distance from Greenland
(MENAFN) Former NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has criticized U.S. President Donald Trump for his renewed interest in acquiring Greenland, calling the idea unacceptable and warning that the island’s residents have no desire to become Americans.
Trump, after securing a second term, has reportedly revived his proposal to make Greenland—a self-governing territory of Denmark—part of the United States. He has suggested buying the Arctic island from Copenhagen and even hinted at using military force if necessary. In a recent interview with NBC’s Meet the Press, Trump said, “We need Greenland very badly,” citing its importance for international security and insisting the U.S. would “cherish” its population of around 57,000.
Rasmussen, who also served as Denmark’s prime minister, told Politico that it is outrageous for an American president to threaten a long-standing ally like Denmark. He expressed concern over Trump’s remarks and reminded that the U.S. already maintains military bases on the island under a 1951 agreement.
“Greenland is part of NATO,” Rasmussen emphasized, adding that if the U.S. wants stronger defense capabilities there, Denmark is open to deeper military cooperation. However, he made clear that Greenland is Danish territory and its people have no interest in becoming part of the United States.
Tensions escalated last week when the Danish Foreign Ministry summoned acting U.S. Ambassador Jennifer Hall Godfrey following reports in The Wall Street Journal that Trump had instructed U.S. intelligence agencies to increase surveillance activities in Greenland. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen stated that the matter was being taken “very seriously.”
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen called the reported espionage “completely unacceptable, disrespectful, and entirely abnormal.”
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