Donald Trump, Greenland news: Former Department of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel explains price of Trump’s pursuit of island
CHICAGO (WLS) — President Donald Trump says the U.S. needs control of Greenland for security reasons. But taking it by force could cause the collapse of one of the most important alliances in world history.
The president spoke about his arctic ambition from the White House on Monday as he plans to meet with NATO allies during a trip to a major economic forum in Switzerland.
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When asked how far he is willing to go to acquire Greenland he responded, “Well, you’ll find out.”
For weeks, he has drawn the ire of European powers over his fixation on acquiring the Danish territory of Greenland.
The president took questions at the White House on Tuesday about his ambitious goal.
“We will work something out where NATO is very happy and where we are happy. We need it for security; we need it for world security,” Tuesday said.
Trump has threatened tariffs against NATO allies who oppose the U.S. acquiring Greenland from Denmark, and markets reacted with a selloff.
Trump confirmed to reporters that he has meetings scheduled to speak to those allies about obtaining the island, but at this point, using the U.S. military to take it by force is still a possibility. In response, NATO members sent in troops to Greenland for an Arctic training mission.
Former Republican Sen. and Vietnam veteran Chuck Hagel, who served as secretary of Defense for two years under President Barack Obama, sat down one-on-one with the ABC7 I-Team.
“It’s all about power. We have the power, and we’ll do whatever we want in the world. And then, that presents a very, very dangerous world,” he said.
When asked how unprecedented it is for the president to threaten to take NATO, potentially by force, he replied, “Well, it’s unprecedented. First of all, if, if we would act on this, if we take any action against Greenland, against Denmark, against collective security, we are saying to the world our most significant allies and friends and partners since World War II in the world, that have helped us project power, that have helped this country succeed and helped the United States be more prosperous, we’re essentially saying that day is gone, that collective security arrangement is over.”
Hagel says if NATO disbands, it will put the world on a perilous precipice.
“Especially for any country like the United States with no allies, no friends, nobody trusts us, and you’re by yourself, you’re going to see an America that falls in standings, in relationships, in prosperity, in security, in every way. We need our allies,” Hagel said.
Trump tied NATO strength solely to U.S. support.
“NATO, whether you like it or not, is only as good as we are. If NATO doesn’t have us, they’re not as strong,” said Trump.
The president leaves for the World Economic Forum in Switzerland on Monday night. U.S. allies have been critical of Trump’s goal to acquire Greenland, with Greenland’s prime minister saying in a social media post the island must be “prepared for the worst.”
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