President Donald Trump insisted he’s “not trolling” about his demands to acquire Greenland and make Canada the 51st state.

“Yeah, I think Greenland would be very well off if they [joined the U.S.]. I think it’s important for our national security and even international security,” Trump told Time magazine.

Regarding Canada, Trump mused, “We’re taking care of their military. We’re taking care of every aspect of their lives and don’t need them to make cars for us. In fact, we don’t want them to make cars for us. We want to make our own cars. We don’t need their lumber. We don’t need their energy. We don’t need anything from Canada. And I say the only way this thing really works is for Canada to become a state.”

Last month, Greenland’s Prime Minister, Mute B. Egede, accused the U.S. of abusing its power by sending a delegation to Greenland.

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Egede lashed out when news broke that Vice President JD Vance, his wife, Usha Vance, White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Energy Secretary Chris Wright would visit Greenland.

“The very aggressive American pressure against Greenlandic society is now so serious that the level cannot be raised any higher,” Egede told the Sermitsiaq newspaper. “Until recently, we could trust the Americans, who were our allies and friends, and with whom we enjoyed working closely…But that time is over. What is the national security adviser doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to demonstrate power over us. His mere presence in Greenland will no doubt fuel belief in Trump’s mission – and the pressure will increase.”

Most Greenlanders have said they don’t want to be part of the U.S. However, Trump has not let up on his plans to take the island by economic incentives or force. “I think we’re going to get it one way or the other,” Trump said during a joint session of Congress in March.

From 1721 until 1953, Greenland was a Danish colony with limited self-governing powers. In 2009, Greenland gained more powers for minerals, policing, and law, but still relies on Copenhagen for defense, foreign policy, monetary policy and security.

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Janae Antrum

Article by Janae Antrum

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