Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed members of Congress this week that President Donald Trump is pursuing the idea of acquiring Greenland through a financial deal rather than by force, reviving a proposal that has drawn strong objections from European governments and reignited discussion about American priorities in the Arctic.

According to U.S. officials, Rubio shared those views during a private briefing with lawmakers from the armed services and foreign affairs panels in both the House and Senate.

Although the session was largely devoted to developments in Venezuela, questions turned to Greenland following recent public remarks by Trump and comments from senior adviser Stephen Miller that renewed attention on the issue.

Officials said that on the same day as the Capitol Hill briefing, Trump directed his aides to prepare an updated proposal outlining potential avenues for obtaining Greenland. The president has spoken about Greenland since his first term, presenting the matter as a strategic concern linked to intensifying competition in the Arctic region.

Greenland, while under the sovereignty of Denmark—a NATO ally—has significant autonomy over its internal affairs and is known for its sparse population and vast natural resources. Rubio did not provide details on what a purchase might involve or confirm whether any official discussions with Denmark have taken place.

On Tuesday, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen joined the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Poland in issuing a coordinated statement dismissing Trump’s claims that the United States should assume control over Greenland.

The joint declaration stressed the importance of NATO cooperation and the protection of national borders and sovereignty.

“Security in the Arctic must therefore be achieved collectively, in conjunction with NATO allies including the United States, by upholding the principles of the U.N. Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders,” the leaders said. “These are universal principles, and we will not stop defending them.”

“Greenland belongs to its people,” the statement added. “It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.”

Later that same day, the White House indicated that military action had not been taken off the table.

“President Trump has made it well known that acquiring Greenland is a national security priority of the United States, and it’s vital to deter our adversaries in the Arctic region,” the statement said. “The president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilizing the U.S. military is always an option at the commander in chief’s disposal.”

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said that “Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place.” While both Russia and China have increased their activity in the Arctic, the United States already has a longstanding military footprint on the island, including Pituffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Base, which Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha, visited last year.

U.S. officials have also highlighted Greenland’s possible deposits of critical minerals as a key factor in the administration’s interest.

The administration’s National Security Strategy places dominance in the Western Hemisphere at the forefront of U.S. priorities, a theme reflected in recent American military actions in Venezuela and earlier comments by Trump suggesting that Canada could become the 51st state.

{Matzav.com}

Jooish News

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