Growing indicators Donald Trump plans Greenland invasion as UK place dubbed ‘extraordinary’
Mike Tapp refused to call on Donald Trump not to invade Greenland amid growing alarm after the unpredictable US President said his country ‘needs’ the Danish territory for national security
A Government minister has refused to call on Donald Trump not to invade Greenland amid growing signs he plans to do so.
Mike Tapp was told it was “extraordinary” that he would not set out the UK’s opposition to a possible US strike on the Danish territory. Fears are rising that the US President plans to take control of the island days after his assault on Venezuela, which saw commandos capture president Nicolás Maduro.
At the weekend Trump said the US needs Greenland for its national security, having long talked up the possibility of an invasion. But Denmark – which is a member of NATO – has said the US has no right to annex the world’s largest island, which lies between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans.
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Asked if the UK would condemn a US move on Greenland, Mr Tapp said: “First of all, let me be really clear that allies do matter, which is why these careful diplomatic conversations behind the scenes are ongoing with the United States and with our European allies and Five Eyes partners. And we’re not going to give a running commentary.”
He went on: “When it comes to Greenland, Denmark and the United States, these are both NATO members, and I’m really proud that NATO has used discussion over division… I can’t see this being any different to any previous conversations that need to be had between NATO members.”
Sky News host Sophy Ridge told Mr Tapp: “I find it extraordinary that you can’t just say flat out that Donald Trump needs to not intervene on Greenland. I find that extraordinary.”
Mr Tapp said: “The Venezuela issue is very different to the Greenland issue, but that’s for them to have those discussions, it’s for NATO to to to have that solid anchor to ensure that there is no, division here.”
Pressed yet again on whether the UK Government has an opinion, Mr Tapp said: “Well, this isn’t for for me to sit here and talk about hypotheticals.” He went on: “It’s the end results that matter, and working together with our allies and sticking to international laws is what we stand for as a country.”
On Sunday the US President said: “It’s so strategic right now. Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place. We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it.”
Asked that the US actions in Venezuela could mean for Greenland, Trump said: “They are going to have to view it themselves. I really don’t know.”
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in a statement that Trump has “no right to annex” the territory. She also reminded the President that Denmark already provides the United States – a fellow member of NATO – broad access to Greenland through existing security agreements.
She said: “I would therefore strongly urge the U.S. to stop threatening a historically close ally and another country and people who have made it very clear that they are not for sale.” Denmark has also signed a European Union statement underscoring that “the right of the Venezuelan people to determine their future must be respected”.
It comes as Keir Starmer faces calls to condemn the White House for its assault on Venezuela, amid growing questions over whether the Trump administration breached international law. Asked if he was comfortable with the US action, Mr Tapp said: “Well, what I say is he is not a legit wasn’t a legitimate president. He was a dictator who tortured prisoners, used sexual violence, intimidated dissidents. So I like Keir Starmer and Cooper and the British government shed no tears whatsoever that this man is no longer in charge of Venezuela, which makes the people of Venezuela safer.”
He said it is for the US to “lay out the legality” for its actions. He said the UK and its allies would come to a conclusion on it.
