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Topics: Donald Trump, US News, World News, Politics
Rhianna Benson
Topics: Donald Trump, US News, World News, Politics
After taking his threat over Greenland's takeover to a whole new level this weekend by implementing some staggering European tariffs, Donald Trump has issued a damning new warning.
The US president has repeatedly claimed over the last year that America 'needs' the self-governing territory for 'national security' purposes - though, it's believed he also seeks to make good use of Greenland's vast mineral wealth.
As a reminder, the Arctic space is technically situated within the Kingdom of Denmark, which would mean any attempt to seize Greenland would legally count as an attack on Denmark itself. Given the latter's status as a NATO ally, this would likely result in the intervention of a number of other nations.
In recent months, however, Trump's interest a 'takeover' of Greenland has developed into something of obsession, and back in December, he refused to rule out military intervention if necessary for this.
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The 79-year-old's administration even claimed his officials are 'actively' discussing a potential offer to buy the country, but have been repeatedly informed by both Greenlandish and Danish leaders that the country is not for sale.
In light of this, Trump vowed to instil a wave of tariffs on Greenland's European allies over the weekend, which will exist from 1 February.
Alleging on Saturday (17 Jan) that 'world peace is at stake' in the face of 'China and Russia' taking the land, he hit Norway, Denmark, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and the UK with 'a 10 per cent tariff on any and all goods'.
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If they fail to side with him, these will increase to 25 per cent from 1 June, and will be 'due and payable until such a time as a Deal is reached', as per a Truth Social post shared by Trump.
As we say, however, despite the tariffs being slammed by world politicians - including British Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, who branded them 'wrong' - Trump still isn't prepared to back down.
So much so, that in a bizarre new letter sent to Norway's leader, Jonas Gahr Støre, the Republican claimed he no longer feels an 'obligation' to consider peace when contemplating his next moves.
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Linking the Nobel Peace Prize he was gifted last week from last year's winner, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado to his take over - which the Norwegian Nobel Committee do not recognise as legitimate - he addressed the Norwegian Prime Minister directly.
The letter, obtained by PBS, begins: "Dr Jonas: Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace, although it will always be predominantly, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America."
Trump continued: "Denmark cannot protect that land from Russia or China, and why do they have a 'right of ownership' anyway? There are no written documents, it's only that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago, but we had boats landing there, also.
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"I have done more for NATO than any other person since its founding, and now, NATO should do something for the United States."
He concluded his message by adding: "The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland. Thank you! President DJT."
The note was subsequently forwarded to multiple European ambassadors in Washington.
Around the same time that the letter was distributed, a joint statement was shared by the nations that had been subjected to Trump's harsh tariffs.
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"As members of NATO," it began. "We are committed to strengthening Arctic security as shared transatlantic interest. The pre-coordinated Danish exercise 'Arctic Endurace' conducted with Allies, responds to this necessity. It poses no threat to anyone.
"We stand in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland. Building on the process begun last week, we stand ready to engage in a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that we stand firmly behind."
The statement continued: "Tariff treats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. We will continue to stand united and coordinated in our response.
"We are committed to upholding our sovereignty."