Germany said its borders should not be changed by force after US President-elect Donald Trump refused to rule out military action to seize Greenland.
The vast Arctic island is an autonomous territory of Denmark, a member of the European Union and NATO.
Germany’s Mr. Scholz: “Is the border inviolable?”basic international law‘
German government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit highlighted international agreements such as the United Nations Charter and said: “The firm principle that national borders may not be moved by force applies as always.”
The Hebestrite newspaper declined to say whether Berlin is taking President Trump’s threats against Denmark seriously.
Hebestreit told a regular press conference that he “doesn’t want to evaluate” the comments, adding only that the German government “considered” them.
Later in the day, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he had discussed Trump’s comments with other EU leaders, reiterating that the inviolability of borders is “fundamental international law.”
Scholz said there was something “incomprehensible” about “certain statements” from the United States during talks with EU leaders.
“The principle of inviolability of borders applies to all countries, whether they are in the East or the West,” Scholz said. The German chancellor’s remarks came as Russia invades Ukraine in Eastern Europe, violating the neighboring country’s sovereignty.
France FM Barot: “President Trump must not threaten the sovereign borders of the EU”
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrault demanded that President Trump should not threaten the European Union’s “sovereign borders.”
“There is no question that the EU will allow any other country in the world to attack its sovereign borders, no matter who they are,” Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrault told France Inter radio.
He added that he did not believe the United States would “invade” Greenland, but that “we have entered an era where we are seeing a resurgence of the fittest.”
“We are a strong continent. We have to become stronger,” Barot told French radio station France Inter.
EU calls President Trump’s comments on Greenland a ‘ridiculous hypothesis’
The EU described President Trump’s Greenland comment as a “wild hypothesis.”
“We are talking about quite far-fetched hypotheses about a government that has not yet been formed,” a European Commission spokesperson said, according to AFP news agency. The spokesperson said the EU looks forward to cooperating with the Trump administration.
Meanwhile, European Commission chief spokesperson Paula Pinho said that national sovereignty must be respected “in principle” but did not want to elaborate on the “very theoretical” nature of the issue. And so.
What is President Trump saying about Greenland?
President Trump on Monday refused to rule out military or economic action as part of his desire to give the United States control of Greenland and the Panama Canal.
In response to a question, President Trump replied, “No, I can’t guarantee either of those things. But I can tell you this: We need it for economic security.”
Donald Trump Jr. arrived in Greenland on Tuesday after his father suggested that Greenland should become part of the United States.
President-elect Donald Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social to declare both his future plans for Greenland and his joy over his son’s trip.
President Trump has argued that purchasing Greenland is critical to U.S. national security and has threatened to impose tariffs on Denmark if it resists the proposal.
“Greenland is a wonderful place and its people would benefit tremendously if it became part of our country. We must protect it from a very evil outside world and cherish it. Let’s make Greenland great again!” he said.
During his first term, Trump mused about buying Greenland and canceled a planned visit to Denmark in August 2019 after the country’s prime minister rejected the idea.
Who owns Greenland?
Denmark said Greenland, an autonomous territory of the kingdom, was not for sale.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded to Trump’s comments, saying, “I don’t think it’s a good way forward to fight each other economically, even though we are close allies and partners.”
Frederiksen said he welcomed increased U.S. interest in the Arctic region, but said it “must be done in a way that respects the people of Greenland.”
Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Egede wants independence from Denmark but has said he has no interest in Greenland becoming part of the United States. Egede also emphasized that the island is not for sale.
