Donald Trump says U.S. ‘has to have’ Greenland for ‘national security’ - National | Globalnews.ca

U.S. President Donald Trump is renewing his efforts to take control of Greenland for his country’s national security - again. “We need Greenland for national security, not for minerals.... If you take a look at Greenland, you look up and down the coast, you have Russian and Chinese ships all over the place. We need it for national security. We have to have it,” Trump told reporters on Monday at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla. Trump also clarified that the U.S. is not interested in Greenland for its mineral wealth. “We have so many sites for minerals and oil and everything. We have more oil than any other country in the world,” Trump said. “We’ll have to work it all out.” On Sunday, Trump said he named Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry special envoy appointed to the Arctic island to “lead the charge.” “I am pleased to announce that I am appointing the GREAT Governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, as the United States Special Envoy to Greenland,” Trump wrote on Truth Social . “Jeff understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Country’s Interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies, and indeed, the World. Congratulations Jeff.” Landry thanked Trump on X , writing, “It’s an honor to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the U.S. This in no way affects my position as Governor of Louisiana.” On Monday, the U.S. president said Landry approached him about being appointed envoy. “He’s a deal guy. He is a deal-maker type guy,” Trump said. Deputy White House press secretary Anna Kelly said Monday that Trump decided to create the special envoy role because the administration views Greenland as “a strategically important location in the Arctic for maintaining peace through strength.” The Trump administration put further pressure on Copenhagen on Monday, when it suspended leases for five large offshore wind projects being built off the East Coast of the U.S., including two being developed by Denmark’s state-controlled Orsted. Trump’s announcement appointing the special envoy is drawing renewed criticism from Denmark and Greenland over Washington’s interest in the mineral-rich Arctic island. Denmark’s foreign minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, told Danish broadcasters he would summon the U.S. ambassador to his ministry over the appointment to “once again make it clear that there are some lines being crossed here, but of course also to get an explanation.” “I am very upset about this appointment of a special envoy. And I am particularly upset about the envoy’s statements, which we find completely unacceptable,” Lokke Rasmussen said . Get daily National news Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy . “Out of nowhere, there is now a special U.S. presidential representative, who, according to himself, is tasked with taking over Greenland. This is, of course, completely unacceptable.” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and her Greenlandic counterpart, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, released a joint statement with regard to Trump claiming the U.S. needed Greenland for “national security.” “We have said...

Preview: ~500 words