Trump on Greenland: I don't need to use force, and I won't use force
US President Trump ruled out the possibility of using force to control Greenland on Wednesday, but in his high-profile speech at the Davos Forum, he stated that no other country could ensure the security of this Danish autonomous territory.
Trump said at the World Economic Forum held in Switzerland: "People think I will use force, but I don't need to use force, I don't want to use force, and I won't use force."
In his speech, Trump maintained his usual style without diplomatic language, reiterating his long-standing views on various issues, which can be said to have little new content besides the statement on not using force.
Trump criticized what he considered the arrogance, questionable loyalty, and insufficient gratitude of America's European allies, and pointed out policy errors in areas ranging from wind energy, the environment to immigration, defense, and geopolitics.
Trump also repeatedly criticized the achievements of his predecessor Biden. In his view, the messiness of domestic affairs and the claim that the 2020 election was "stolen" were his views on US domestic affairs, as well as praise for the economic, immigration control, and military cases such as Venezuela and the fight against Iran's nuclear facilities that the US achieved after he regained power last year.
Recently, Trump's remarks on the issue of Greenland have heightened the threat to Europe, intensifying transatlantic tensions and causing concern among Europeans, making this speech, originally intended to focus on the US economy, deviate from expectations.
Recalling the history of the US helping it gain liberation from Nazi Germany's control, Trump described Denmark as "ungrateful" in his speech, and casually portrayed the sovereignty issues of Greenland and Denmark as a "small demand" for "a piece of ice." He also claimed that acquiring Greenland would not threaten the NATO alliance, including Denmark and the United States.
Trump insisted: "No country or group of countries other than the United States has the capability to ensure the security of Greenland. I am seeking immediate negotiations to discuss again the issue of the US acquiring Greenland." During the more than an hour-long speech, Trump repeatedly mistakenly referred to Greenland as Iceland.
Several NATO European ally leaders warned that Trump's attempt to seize Greenland could undermine the alliance, while Danish and Greenland leaders offered various solutions for the US to expand its presence on this strategically important island with a population of 57,000.
Speaking in a crowded parliamentary hall, Trump said: "We want a piece of ice to protect the world, but they won't give it to us." Hundreds of representatives gathered in the hall, and those outside watched Trump's speech via video screens or mobile phones. Journalists on site observed that after an hour, most people had stopped paying attention to the speech and started talking to each other.
Trump refused to specify what kind of agreement he envisioned with Denmark regarding the future status of Greenland. In a fireside chat after the speech, when asked what kind of agreement he hoped to reach with Copenhagen, Trump said: "We'll see."
Source: rfi
Original: toutiao.com/article/1854951320819844/
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