"We will do something with Greenland, whether they like it or not. I want to reach an agreement gently, but we will have a tougher way if we cannot do that," US President Donald Trump stated during a meeting with oil company executives at the White House on 9/1.

Controlling the mineral-rich island is crucial for US national security. "We are not going to let Russia or China control Greenland. That's what they will do if we don't act. So, we will do something with Greenland peacefully or more forcefully," the US President added.

Trump also downplayed Denmark's concerns, despite it being a NATO ally. "I must say I also admire Denmark. You know, they are very kind to me. However, a Danish ship docking in Greenland 500 years ago does not mean they own that land," the US leader said.

President Trump at a White House meeting on 9/1. Photo: AFP

Danish officials have not yet commented on the US President's statement.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to meet with his Danish counterpart, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, and representatives from Greenland next week. Rasmussen believes the meeting with US officials will help resolve "certain misunderstandings."

Greenland is the world's largest island, located near North America, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Arctic Ocean. The island belongs to Denmark, has a population of 57,000 people, and an area of approximately 2,16 million square kilometers, which is larger than Mexico and more than three times the size of the US state of Texas.

The island lies on the shortest route from North America to Europe, making it a strategically important location for Washington. Greenland also possesses abundant mineral resources, most of which remain untapped.

Greenland was a colony of the Kingdom of Norway from 1261 and was transferred to Denmark when the kingdom separated into two nations, Denmark and Norway, in 1814. In 1953, Denmark adopted a new constitution, making Greenland an autonomous territory with partial control from Copenhagen over foreign policy.

Denmark and its European allies have repeatedly opposed Trump's threats regarding potential US control of Greenland. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that an attack on Greenland would mark the end of NATO and the security structure formed after World War II.

Location of Greenland. Graphic: Britannica

The White House announced on 6/1 that controlling Greenland is a US national security priority to deter rivals like Russia and China. "Deploying US troops is, of course, always an option the commander-in-chief can use," the White House press secretary said.

Denmark, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Poland subsequently issued a joint statement opposing the idea of the US annexing Greenland. They emphasized their commitment to defending universal principles of "sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of borders."

Leaders of Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly stated that the island is not for sale. In polls, most Greenlanders also do not want the island annexed by the US.

Huyen Le (According to AFP)