Featured Image Credit: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Topics: Donald Trump, Greenland, Politics, World News
Niamh Shackleton
Topics: Donald Trump, Greenland, Politics, World News
Donald Trump gave a concerning three-word response when asked about how far he's willing to go to get his hands on Greenland as NATO allies express concerns about his plans.
Trump is expected to argue his corner today (January 21) in Davos, Switzerland, at the World Economic Forum (WEF) that's being attended by other political figures, such as French president Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Someone who won't be there is Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Al Jazeera reports. He had his invite revoked in the wake of the thousands of protestors being killed in the country.
The WEF said on Twitter of Araghchi: "Although he was invited last fall, the tragic loss of lives of civilians in Iran over the past few weeks means that it is not right for the Iranian government to be represented at Davos this year."
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Away from the crisis in Iran, one topic that's expected to be heavily discussed in Davos is Trump's plans for Greenland. The POTUS has said he wants the world's largest island for 'security' purposes, but many others have insisted that it would simply be a land-grab by America.
Speaking ahead of his talks today, Trump was asked how far he was willing to go to acquire the island, which is a semi-autonomous territory in the Kingdom of Denmark.
"You'll find out," he told reporters during a 'surprise' press conference to mark him completing the first year of his second term as president.
Trump also faced questions over whether he was prepared to pay the price of NATO breaking up as a consequence of his determination over Greenland.
"I think something’s going to happen that’s going to be very good for everybody," he said.
"I think that we will work something out… NATO is going to be very happy and where we’re going to be very happy. But we need it for security purposes, we need it for national security and even world security. It is very important."
Trump also expressed uncertainty about the alliance coming to America’s defence.
"The big fear I have with NATO is we spend tremendous amounts of money with NATO and I know we’ll come to their rescue but I just really do question whether or not they’ll come to ours," the US president said.
Should America decide to carry out a military takeover of Greenland, it'll be NATO allies that defend the territory, as Greenland and Denmark don't have enough manpower to take on the US.
The island is within the area overseen by the NATO military alliance.