Besant: The United States Needs Greenland Because of Europe's "Weakness"

According to Reuters, U.S. Treasury Secretary Besant said on Sunday that due to Europe's "weakness," the United States needs to control Greenland to maintain global stability, despite warnings from some lawmakers against the Trump administration's attempt to acquire this Arctic territory under Danish control.

Speaking on NBC's "Meet the Press" program, Besant stated that having Greenland is crucial in geopolitical games. The day before, President Trump vowed to impose tariffs on EU member states opposing the U.S. acquisition of Greenland, including Denmark, which has long been one of Washington's most steadfast allies.

"We are the strongest country in the world," Besant said. "Europeans show weakness, while the U.S. shows strength."

As tensions between the U.S. and the EU escalated on Sunday, Besant said he believes European leaders will eventually "accept" the idea of the U.S. controlling Greenland. "I believe Europeans will realize that this is the best option for Greenland, Europe, and the U.S."

Besant also said he has not recently discussed with Trump whether he still considers using emergency powers to seize Greenland by force.

However, Senator Rand Paul, chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and a Republican from Kentucky, called such an action "absurd," as there is no emergency situation in Greenland.

Democratic Senator Tim Kaine from Virginia said on the same program that the Senate Committee on Homeland Security may push for a war powers resolution to limit Trump's ability to use military force or propose a resolution questioning his tariff practices.

On February 17, Trump posted on Truth Social that starting February 1, a 10% import tax would be imposed on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, and the UK, increasing to 25% on June 1, and continuing until the U.S. reaches an agreement to purchase Greenland.

According to the Financial Times, EU countries are considering imposing a 93 billion euro tariff or restricting American companies' access to the EU market in response to Trump's threats against NATO allies opposing his attempt to seize Greenland.

Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, but Trump has repeatedly stated that the island should belong to the U.S. The Danish and Greenlandic governments have warned Washington not to seize the island, pointing out that they expect respect for territorial integrity.

Original: toutiao.com/article/1854705471983619/

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