Carney Raises Concerns Over Escalating U.S. Interest in Greenland
Prime Minister Mark Carney called Donald Trump’s talk of using economic coercion to acquire Greenland a worrisome escalation, saying he plans to tell the U.S. President the future security of the Arctic island can be safeguarded by NATO.
Mr. Trump has justified his demand to make Greenland U.S. territory by saying the strategically located Arctic island and its valuable resources should not be allowed to fall under the control of Russia or China.
Mr. Carney, speaking to reporters in the Gulf region country of Qatar during a visit aimed at boosting two-way trade and investment, invoked Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as he outlined his response to Mr. Trump’s latest pressure tactic to gain control of Greenland.
“It’s a serious situation, and we’re concerned. We’re concerned about this escalation,” the Prime Minister said of Mr. Trump’s announcement that he will impose tariffs on seven European countries and Britain until he is allowed to annex Greenland.
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“The future of Greenland and decisions about the future of Greenland are for Greenland and Denmark to decide.”
France, Germany, Britain and other European countries this week sent small groups of military personnel to Greenland at Denmark’s request, prompting Mr. Trump to threaten trade tariffs on eight European allies until the U.S. is allowed to buy the island.
He said in a Truth Social post on Saturday the tariffs on all goods from these countries would start at 10 per cent and rise to 25 per cent in June.
In his response to questions about Mr. Trump’s coercion targeting Greenland, Mr. Carney said Canada will always support the “sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries, wherever their geographic location is,” adding that he talked to the emir of Qatar about a number of threats to sovereignty and territorial integrity, “Ukraine being a very prominent example.”
Mr. Carney said he feels instead that the 32-member North Atlantic Treaty Organization – which includes Canada and the United States – can handle the job of helping Denmark and Greenland defend the island.
He said he talked to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte during his recent visit to Paris about enhancing the “security umbrella” over the alliance’s northern flank in the Arctic.
“That’s the right way to address this security.”
He said he has spoken to European NATO partners and they have all expressed a “full commitment” to the security of Greenland.
As for Greenland’s resource riches, the Prime Minister said any development of critical minerals should be undertaken “in partnership” with Denmark and the Arctic island.
The Prime Minister did not respond to a direct question about whether Canada is prepared to join European Union countries and Britain in building up a military presence in Greenland as a show of support.
Operation Arctic Endurance is a Danish‑led NATO military exercise and forward deployment in and around Greenland, intended to signal allied commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Denmark and Greenland.
This article was first reported by The Globe and Mail
