Featured Image Credit: Ian Maule/Getty Images
Topics: US News, Donald Trump, Politics
Joe Yates
President Donald Trump has doubled down on his persistent calls to incorporate Greenland into becoming part of the US with a pretty blunt statement yesterday (January 25).
It comes off the back of a fiery phone call the POTUS had with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, which reportedly sent officials into crisis mode.
Over the past couple of days, Trump shared a heated phone call with Frederiksen over the potential of acquiring Greenland - something which hadn't really been taken seriously until now.
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Of course, Greenland has been part of the Danish Kingdom since it was colonized back in the 18th century - and was seen as only a colony until 1953 when it was redefined as a district of Denmark.
Now, Trump is adamant that he'll add the world's largest island, and it's 57,000 residents, to be part of the US.
Speaking to reporters yesterday, he doubled down with some blunt remarks: "I think we're going to have it.
"I think the people want to be with us.
"I don't really know what claim Denmark has to it, but it would be a very unfriendly act if they didn't allow that to happen because it's for the protection of the free world."
He continued: "I think Greenland we'll get because it has to do with freedom of the world.
"It has nothing to do with the United States other than that we're the one that can provide the freedom. They can't."
Officials in Denmark, who wished to stay anonymous, spoke to the Financial Times after Trump and Frederiksen spoke on the phone about this possibility.
They said Trump was fiery, aggressive, and confrontational, despite the offer to increase Greenland-US cooperation on military bases and natural resources.
An unnamed source said: “[Trump] was very firm. It was a cold shower. Before, it was hard to take it seriously. But I do think it is serious, and potentially very dangerous.”
Before he entered the White House, Trump said he wanted to buy Greenland, with Republican lawmakers having drawn up a bill which will allow the 47th president to start negotiations.
Taking to his social media platform Truth Social, he said: "For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity.
“Greenland is an incredible place. The people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our Nation. We will protect it, cherish it, from a very vicious outside World.
"MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!”
UNILAD has reached out to representatives of Donald Trump for comment.