US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a confidential meeting with US lawmakers that the Trump administration’s tough tone on Greenland is aimed at pressuring Denmark to enter into negotiations to purchase the island, and not a sign of an imminent military attack.
Rubio stressed that the administration’s primary goal remains to purchase Greenland from Denmark, but the White House has said that the use of military force always remains an option.
These statements come at a time when Trump considers Greenland essential to US national security and has pointed to Russian and Chinese activities in the Arctic region. The US currently operates the former Pitofik Tole military base in Greenland.
Denmark and Greenland have rejected the claims and called for an immediate meeting with Rubio, and European leaders have also supported Danish sovereignty, warning of the end of NATO in the event of a US attack.
