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Trump clashes with Denmark’s PM over Greenland and threatens tariffs in Arctic land row.
Donald Trump reportedly unleashed a furious tirade against Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen as the two clashed over the future of Greenland.
The new US president has wasted no time in his bid to acquire the territory, despite the Scandinavian country insisting it is not for sale.
Mr Trump, who was sworn in as the 47th POTUS on Monday, reportedly told Frederiksen five days earlier that he would consider imposing tariffs on Denmark if he doesn’t get his way.
The president is said to be eager to acquire the land to establish a base in the Arctic region, aiming to counter potential threats from Russia and China.
A witness told the Financial Times: “It was horrendous. He was very firm. It was a cold shower. Before, it was hard to take it seriously. But I do think it is serious, and potentially very dangerous.”
Greenland’s prime minister has echoed the feeling of Ms Frederiksen and stated that the world’s largest island is not for sale – having been under Danish control since 1814. It is considered a self-governing country within the Kingdom of Denmark, which is status that also applies to the Faroe Islands, and has had self rule since 2009.
“For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity,” Mr Trump has said on his social media platform, Truth Social.
Mr Trump has previously been said to have considered military action over Greenland and is one of several radical foreign policy options he is pursuing, having already pursued changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America.
He has also stated his ambition for the US to retake control of the Panama Canal.
Mr Lammy told the BBC: “I suspect on Greenland what he’s targeting is his concerns about Russia and China in the Arctic, is his concerns about national economic security.
“He recognises I’m sure that in the end Greenland today is a kingdom of Denmark.”
Independent