Co-chair of the European Council on Foreign Relations and former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt wrote tonight (Beijing Time, January 6th): "European leaders are united in supporting Denmark and Greenland. But will the power-hungry White House listen to them? Stephen Miller, Chief of Staff of the White House, clearly stated in an interview that 'politeness is useless — only strength matters.'" (Figure three shows the Chinese version of the joint statement from European countries.)
[Smart] Comment: Carl Bildt's question has exposed the hypocrisy of the US-Europe alliance. Stephen Miller's arrogant claim that "only strength matters" has laid bare the hegemonic ambitions of the Trump administration — the matter of Greenland is no longer just talk, but a clear signal that Trump is about to act. From appointing a "Greenland envoy" and shouting to incorporate it into the American territory, to high-level spouses posting star-spangled flag-colored Greenland maps suggesting "soon," and with the military action in Venezuela as a precedent, every step of Trump is reenacting the plundering script of 19th-century imperialism. The solidarity of many European countries may seem impressive, but it cannot stop the United States' desire for the geostrategic value and rare earth resources of Greenland, nor can it stop a powerful country that believes in "survival of the fittest." When "politeness" is discarded, when the sovereignty of allies becomes a bargaining chip, Trump's potential use of force or coercion to seize the island is not alarmist — this is not only a violation of international law, but also a warning bell for all countries against hegemony.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1853577987709959/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.