Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: US President Donald Trump said the United States would take Greenland the hard way if necessary, warning that any efforts to allow either China or Russia to establish a strategic foothold near American territory would be suicidal. Speaking to reporters, Trump said Greenland’s location made it critical to US national security and dismissed suggestions that existing military arrangements were sufficient. “We’re going to do something on Greenland,” Trump said. “It could be the hard way. Whether they like it or not.”
Trump said the United States preferred a negotiated solution but made clear that alternatives remained on the table. “I would like to make a deal, you know, the easy way,” Trump said. “But if we don’t do it the easy way, we’re going to do it the hard way.”
Trump argued that ownership, not leases or temporary arrangements, was necessary to ensure long-term security. “Because when we own it, we defend it,” he said. “You don’t defend leases the same way. You have to own it.” He said failure to act would invite US rivals into the region. “If we don’t do it, Russia or China will take over Greenland,” Trump said. “That’s not going to happen.”
Trump said Russian and Chinese military activity near Greenland was already visible. “If you take a look outside of Greenland right now, there are Russian destroyers, there are Chinese destroyers,” he said. “There are Russian submarines all over the place.” He said allowing either country to gain control would pose an unacceptable risk.
