Europe voices solidarity with Greenland after Trump’s latest threat

Seven European countries have voiced solidarity with Greenland as the United States threatens to annex the Arctic island, saying only Greenland and Denmark have the right to decide on its future.

The joint statement was signed by the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Britain and Denmark, to which Greenland belongs.

It was issued on Tuesday following renewed comments by President Donald Trump about the need to bring the Arctic island under US control.

On Sunday evening, a day after Washington toppled Venezuela’s authoritarian leader, Trump told journalists of the autonomously administered Danish territory: “We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security.”

In their joint statement, the European leaders pointed out that Greenland is “part of NATO.”

“Security in the Arctic must therefore be achieved collectively, in conjunction with NATO allies including the United States, by upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders,” the statement said.

“Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.”

Since returning to office in January, Trump has revived an idea from his first term of gaining control of the island — and has not ruled out the use of force. Denmark and Greenland reject these efforts.

The US president believes Greenland is strategically important both for defence and as a source of mineral wealth.