Donald Trump said that if the United States does not “take” Greenland, control of the island could be seized by Russia or China, as it effectively lacks its own defense system.
Speaking to reporters aboard the presidential aircraft, Trump described the territory’s defensive capabilities in an ironic vein. “Basically, their defense is two dog sleds. Did you know that? Do you know what their defense is? Two dog sleds,” he said.
According to him, Greenland should agree to a deal because, as Trump put it, “Greenland does not want Russia or China to gain the upper hand.”
He stressed that he was referring specifically to a scenario in which Greenland would be “taken” by the United States. Otherwise, he claimed, Russia or China would do so instead. “That will not happen while I am president,” Trump added.