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One of Donald Trump’s most influential aides says Greenland should become part of the United States to protect NATO and the Arctic.
“No one is going to fight the United States for the future of Greenland,” Stephen Miller said in an interview with CNN when asked whether the United States would rule out using force to annex the semi-autonomous region of NATO member Denmark.
On Sunday, Trump reiterated that the United States “needs” Greenland, alarming Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who said a U.S. attack would spell the end of NATO.
Five European allies issued a joint statement on Tuesday supporting Denmark.
The leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and Denmark said in a statement: “Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland and only Denmark and Greenland can decide issues related to their relations.”
“The official position of the U.S. government is that Greenland should become part of the United States,” Miller told CNN.
He continued: “What right does Denmark have to claim control of Greenland? On what basis do they claim that Greenland is a Danish colony?”
The top Trump aide also said the United States “is a power for NATO. For the United States to secure the Arctic and protect and defend NATO and NATO interests, it is clear that Greenland should become part of the United States.”
NATO is a transatlantic military organization whose allies are expected to provide aid to each other in the event of external attack.
Questions about Greenland’s future have resurfaced following the U.S. military intervention in Venezuela, during which elite forces broke into Venezuela, captured the country’s president Nicolas Maduro and took him to New York to face drug and weapons charges.
After the attack, Trump said the United States would “manage” Venezuela for an unspecified period of time.
He also said that the United States is returning to the hegemonic policy in the Western Hemisphere’s sphere of influence in 1823, and warned that the United States may turn its attention to some countries.
Following the Venezuelan intervention, Miller’s wife Katie posted a map of Greenland in the colors of the U.S. flag on social media with the word “soon” written next to it.
It has reignited concerns that the United States may consider using force to take control of Greenland, a giant Arctic island – a possibility that the US president has previously refused to rule out.
Trump claimed that it would be in U.S. security interests to make it part of the United States due to its strategic location and rich mineral resources vital to high-tech industries.
Recent actions taken by the Trump administration Appointment of Greenland envoy Denmark was outraged.
Greenland, home to 57,000 people, has had broad autonomy since 1979, but defense and foreign policy remain in Danish hands.
While a majority of Greenlanders support eventual independence from Denmark, polls show an overwhelming majority opposes becoming part of the United States.
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