President Donald Trump has once again expressed his desire for the United States to control Greenland, stating that the U.S. relationship with NATO is strained by his inability to acquire the island. During a brief statement at the NATO summit, Trump described Greenland as an important part of the United States that should be controlled by Washington, not Denmark.
Trump suggested that Denmark does not adequately support Greenland financially and that the U.S. presence in Europe could be reconsidered if Greenland were under American control. He also alluded to geopolitical concerns, mentioning Chinese and Russian ships in the vicinity of the island. "It was Greenland, and it continues to be, that should be controlled by the United States, not by Denmark," Trump said.
The president's interest in acquiring Greenland is not new, having reportedly been an obsession since his first term. While he has at times suggested the possibility of using force, he has also stated he would not do so. Greenlandic officials have previously stated the island is not for sale, and a pro-Trump candidate in a past election in Greenland did not perform well.
Public opinion in the United States also appears to be against the idea, with a poll indicating that only 24% of Americans approve of Trump's handling of the Greenland issue. Critics have voiced their disapproval on social media following the president's latest remarks.