Rubio claims that increased authority over Greenland is justified by US defense obligations to the region.
After Denmark was alarmed by US President Donald Trump’s threats to annex the autonomous Danish territory, Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that Trump is serious about trying to purchase Greenland.
Regarding Trump’s comments on Greenland, Rubio stated, “This is not a joke.” He also downplayed the possibility that the US would use military force against Denmark, a NATO ally.
Rubio told SiriusXM Radio, “President Trump has made it clear what he plans to do, which is to buy it.”
“This has nothing to do with buying land only to buy land. “This needs to be resolved for the benefit of our country,” Rubio stated.
Rubio cited NATO’s pledges to Denmark, saying: “We have a defence agreement with them to protect Greenland if it becomes under assault.”
“If we’re already on the hook for having to do that, then we might as well have more control over what happens there,” he stated.
Rally in opposition to Trump
In response to Trump’s threats, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has mobilized her European allies, reportedly having a heated phone call with him.
Rubio claimed that Trump “just speaks bluntly and frankly with people” even though he was not present during the phone conversation with Frederiksen.
“And ultimately I think diplomacy in many cases works better when you’re straightforward as opposed to using platitudes and language that translates to nothing,” Rubio stated.
Rubio expressed worry that state-run businesses might help rival China, which is vying for access to the Arctic, gain momentum in Greenland.
“It is completely realistic to believe that the Chinese will eventually, maybe even in the short term, try to do in Greenland what they have done at the Panama Canal and in other places,” Rubio stated.
