US President Donald Trump has warned he could impose tariffs on countries that do not support his takeover plans for Greenland, while members of the US Congress visited Copenhagen to support Denmark and its autonomous Arctic island.
The bipartisan delegation said during a two-day trip to the Danish capital that the US president’s long-held territorial ambitions – strongly rejected by Denmark – were not shared by the American people.
Trump reiterated that the US needs mineral-rich Greenland for its “national security” and warned on Friday that he could “impose a tariff” on countries that oppose that position.
Trump has not ruled out using force to take over the autonomous island, increasing tensions between the US, Denmark and other allied countries.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has said a military takeover of Greenland would spell the end of the decades-old NATO alliance.
The US delegation in Copenhagen held talks with Frederiksen and her Greenland counterpart Jens-Frederik Nielsen, as well as the Danish foreign and defense ministers, parliamentarians and business leaders.
US Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski said there had been a “good dialogue” and stressed the importance of “nurturing” ties between the US, Denmark and Greenland.
“The vast majority” of Americans do not agree that it is a good idea for the United States to acquire Greenland, she told reporters.
“Greenland should be seen as our ally, not as an asset,” she added.
U.S. Democratic Senator Chris Coons said the purpose of the members of Congress’ visit was to “listen respectfully to our friends, our trusted allies and partners here in Denmark and from Greenland.”
The delegation would then return to the United States “and share those perspectives so that we can lower the temperature and have a more constructive dialogue about the best path forward,” he said.
In Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, residents welcomed the show of support.
“Congress would never approve military action in Greenland. It’s just one idiot speaking,” a 39-year-old union representative told the Agence France-Presse news agency.
“Like [Trump] If he does, he will be impeached or kicked out. If the people in Congress want to save their own democracy, they must take action,” the union representative said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Trump has repeatedly criticized Denmark – a NATO ally – for not doing enough to guarantee Greenland’s security.
The US president has continued that argument despite the fact that strategically located Greenland – as part of Denmark – falls under NATO’s security umbrella.
Large demonstrations are planned in Denmark and Greenland on Saturday to protest Trump’s plan.
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