US will acquire Greenland ‘whether they like it or not,’ Trump says, to block China or Russia from doing so

President Trump on Friday stated that the United States will acquire Greenland “whether they like it or not,” warning that if the U.S. does not act, China or Russia could move in.

“If you take a look outside of Greenland right now, there are Russian destroyers, there are Chinese destroyers and there are Russian submarines all over the place,” Trump said. “We’re not going to have Russia or China occupy Greenland, and that’s what they’re going to do if we don’t.”

Aerial view of houses covered by snow on the coast of a sea inlet of Nuuk, Greenland. — President trump has claimed the US will acquire Greenland ‘whether they like it or not,’ because ‘if we don’t do it, China or Russia will.’ AP

He added, “So we’re going to be doing something with Greenland, either the nice way or the more difficult way,” suggesting that the U.S. could obtain the territory through purchase or military action.

When asked why he wants the U.S. to own Greenland rather than simply expanding the American military presence there, Trump replied, “When we own it, we defend it. You don’t defend leases the same way, you have to own it.”