'We Feel Betrayed': Greenland Minister Condemns Donald Trump Over Invasion Threat
A member of Greenland’s government says they feel “betrayed” by Donald Trump’s threat to take over the Arctic island.
The US president has said he plans to seize Greenland “one way or the other” and has refused to rule out sending in American troops.
But speaking at Westminster following talks with MPs, Naaja Nathanielsen said the island – which is part of the kingdom of Denmark – has no interest in becoming American.
Nathanielsen, who is Greenland’s minister for business, mineral resources, energy, justice and gender equality, said: “If you ask the people of Greenland, people are concerned about the messages from the US about annexing or buying Greenland.
“People are reporting difficulties to sleep. This is fuelling the discussions around the households. We are trying to keep calm and work our way through it.”
She added: “We have no intention of becoming American. We have worked towards more collaboration with the Americans, but we are quite happy being part of the kingdom of Denmark.
“We feel betrayed. We feel the rhetoric is offensive and bewildering. We have done nothing but support the US.
“We are allies of allies of the US and are bewildered that we have to discuss possible selling of annexing of Greenland. This is not something we deserve. We have been good partners.”
Trump has said that America needs to “own” Greenland to stop China and Russia from trying to take it over.
But Nathanielsen said Greenland wanted a “peaceful solution” to the crisis, and warned that the whole world would be thrown into crisis if Trump orders troops to invade the Arctic island.
She said: “If that scenario was to happen, everybody in your countries will have a focus on what the new world order is about. We will be in a new situation.
“We would all be under attack. It would be a breakdown of international law and existing treaties, and that would be a bad outcome for all of us. I do hope we will not get to that situation.”
Nathanielsen also insisted that Greenland is facing no “imminent threat” from Russia or China, despite Trump’s claims to the contrary.