Mission Greenland: Trump mulls boots on the ground despite boos on ground

Washington: The White House said on Tuesday that President Donald Trump is discussing options for acquiring Greenland, including potential use of the US military, in a revival of his ambition to control the strategic island despite European objections.

Trump sees acquiring Greenland as a US national security priority necessary to "deter our adversaries in the Arctic region," the White House said in a statement.

"The President and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal, and of course, utilising the US military is always an option at the commander-in-chief's disposal," the White House said.


Greenland has repeatedly said it does not want to be part of the United States.

A US military seizure of Greenland from a longtime ally, Denmark, would send shock waves through the NATO alliance and deepen the divide between Trump and European leaders.

The strong opposition has not deterred Trump from reviewing how to make Greenland a US hub in an area where there is growing interest from Russia and China.

Emboldened by Maduro's capture last weekend, Trump has voiced his belief that "American dominance in the Western Hemisphere will never be questioned again," and has put pressure on both Colombia and Cuba.

IS GREENLAND FOR SALE?

Those options include the outright US purchase of Greenland or forming a Compact of Free Association with the territory, the official said. A COFA agreement would stop short of Trump's ambition to make the island of 57,000 people a part of the United States.

The official did not provide a potential purchase price. "Diplomacy is always the president's first option with anything, and dealmaking. He loves deals. So if a good deal can be struck to acquire Greenland, that would definitely be his first instinct," the official said.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers that recent administration threats against Greenland did not signal an imminent invasion and that the goal is to buy the island from Denmark during a classified briefing late on Monday for congressional leaders, two sources familiar with the briefing said. Reuters