Trump asserts need for Greenland for international security

Investing.com -- President Donald Trump has emphasized his interest for the U.S. to annex Greenland, a move that has caused tension in the Danish territory. During an interview with conservative talk show host Vince Coglianese, Trump stated that the mission of Vice President JD Vance and others on his team is to communicate the U.S.’s need for Greenland for international safety and security. The President believes the island is crucial from both defensive and offensive postures.

These comments are the most explicit Trump has made about the intent behind several visits to Greenland since his victory in the 2024 presidential election. Initially, Trump downplayed the idea that Vance’s trip was related to his desire to bring Greenland under U.S. control for national security purposes, stating it was about "friendliness, not provocation."

However, Trump later expressed that the desires of the Greenlanders to become Americans were not his primary concern. He believes that annexing Greenland is a necessity and that it’s the U.S.’s task to convince the island’s inhabitants. This insistence has caused a diplomatic crisis with Denmark, a NATO ally, and has stirred up politics in the semi-autonomous island.

Vice President Vance and his wife are scheduled to visit a remote U.S. military base in the far northwest part of the island. There, they will be briefed on national security issues and meet American service members. Trump highlighted the strategic importance of Greenland, stating that it is impossible to adequately defend a large section of the earth, including the United States, without it.

Vance’s trip, originally planned as a family outing with a large U.S. delegation and activities like a national dog sled race, has been scaled back due to local backlash. National Security Advisor Michael Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright were removed from the delegation, and the sled race and stops in population centers Nuuk and Sisimiut, where anti-U.S. protests were anticipated, were cancelled.

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