(BBC News) Germany and France have warned Donald Trump against threatening Greenland, after the US president-elect refused to rule out using military force to seize Denmark’s autonomous territory.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said “the principle of the inviolability of borders applies to every country… no matter whether it’s a very small one or a very powerful one.”
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said “there is obviously no question that the European Union would (not) let other nations of the world attack its sovereign borders.”
On Tuesday, Trump reiterated his desire to acquire Greenland, saying that the Arctic island was “critical” for national and economic security.
He has repeatedly expressed an interest in buying Greenland, having mooted the idea in 2019, during his first term as president.
Denmark, a long-time US ally, has made clear that Greenland is not for sale and that it belongs to its inhabitants.
Greenland prime minister Mute Egede is pushing for independence from Denmark, but he too has made clear the territory is not for sale. He was visiting Copenhagen on Wednesday.
Chancellor Scholz said there was a “certain incomprehension” about statements coming from the incoming US administration.
“The principle of the inviolability of borders applies to every country no matter whether that’s in the east or the west.”
Denmark is a member of the US-led NATO alliance, as are Germany and France.
Scholz stressed that “NATO is the most important instrument for our defence and a central part of the transatlantic relationship.”
Speaking earlier on Wednesday, Jean-Noël Barrot told France Inter radio: “If you’re asking me whether I think the United States will invade Greenland, my answer is no. Have we entered into an era that sees the return of the survival of the fittest? Then the answer is yes.
“So, should we allow ourselves to be intimidated and overcome with worry? Clearly not. We must wake up, build up our strength,” the French foreign minister added.
Germany and France are the two leading members of the EU, often described as its driving force.
However, it is difficult to imagine how the EU might prevent any potential attack. It has no defensive capabilities of its own, and most of its 27 member states are part of NATO.
Trump made the remarks at a free-wheeling news conference at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, less than two weeks before he is sworn in for his second term as president on January 20.
Asked if he would rule out using military or economic force in order to take over Greenland or the Panama Canal, Trump said: “No, I can’t assure you on either of those two.
“But I can say this, we need them for economic security.”
Greenland has been home to a US radar base since the Cold War and has long been strategically important for Washington.
Trump suggested the island was crucial to military efforts to track Chinese and Russian ships, which he said are “all over the place”.
“I’m talking about protecting the free world,” he told reporters.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told Danish TV on Tuesday that “Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders” and that only the local population could determine its future.
However, she stressed Denmark needed close co-operation with the US.
