Donald Trump is "seriously" considering the acquisition of Greenland . While not completely closing the door on a military operation, which always remains "an option," the White House is softening its tone.
The spokesperson reiterated that "the president's first option is always the diplomatic route, and that's why he's actively discussing the purchase" of Greenland . To bolster her argument, Karoline Leavitt cited the example of Venezuela: "Trump sought an agreement with Nicolas Maduro" but failed to find one , so he took action. A comparison that isn't reassuring for Europeans.
France has announced that it is working with its partners on a response plan should the United States invade Greenland by force. Europe is fearing a Caracas-style operation , but the U.S. Secretary of State "has ruled that out," French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot reassured after speaking with Marco Rubio, who announced a trip to Copenhagen next week. Rubio's visit to Denmark is likely intended to lay the groundwork for negotiations.
According to some rumors, the model Trump is looking at is an association agreement, but excluding the Danes , along the lines of the "COFA" agreements the US has already signed with several Pacific islands. Greenlandic authorities will also participate in the meeting: "We are the ones who requested the meeting," the island's autonomous government announced.
Conquering Greenland, with its mineral resources—those rare earths essential to the United States—and its strategic location for Atlantic shipping routes, would allow Trump to flex his muscles with Russia and China, his major rivals . The United States already enjoys extensive military access to Greenland and, thanks to an agreement dating back to the Cold War, can "build, install, maintain, and operate" military bases across the island, as well as "host personnel" and "control the landings, takeoffs, anchorings, moorings, movements, and operations of ships, aircraft, and watercraft."
(Unioneonline)