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New Delhi: US President Donald Trump on Friday warned that the United States could impose tariffs on countries that do not support his efforts to gain control of Greenland.
Speaking at a health-related event at the White House, Trump said economic pressure could be used against nations opposing Washington's position. "I may put a tariff on countries if they do not go along with Greenland, because we need Greenland for national security," he said.
Trump reiterated the threat during a health roundtable, saying the United States could use tariffs against countries that do not back his plans regarding Greenland.
The renewed push comes as Trump has revived his long-standing ambition to acquire the semi-autonomous Danish territory, citing security concerns. According to the US president, Greenland is under-protected at a time when Russia and China are increasing their interest in the Arctic and its mineral resources. Russia on Thursday dismissed the US threat as a "myth".
The White House has not ruled out a military option. In a statement, it said Trump considers acquiring Greenland a national security priority and that his administration is discussing a range of options to pursue the goal, including the possible use of the US military.
A recent White House meeting on Greenland's future ended without a diplomatic breakthrough, though the United States, Denmark and Greenland agreed to continue talks.
As Trump continues to press for control of the island, French and German military personnel have become more visible in Greenland. However, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said the presence of European troops does not affect the president's decision-making or his objective of acquiring the territory.
Denmark has firmly rejected any US takeover. Danish foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said on Thursday that US acquisition of Greenland was "out of the question", calling it a violation of international rules and Greenland's sovereignty.
Greenland's prime minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen also ruled out the possibility, saying that if forced to choose, Greenland would stand with Denmark, NATO, the Kingdom of Denmark and the European Union.
