Donald Trump Jr., son of the U.S. President-elect, visited Greenland on Tuesday throughout a non-public journey, as his father renewed his curiosity in gaining management of the Danish Arctic territory.
“Just here as tourists,” Trump Jr stated on the airport within the capital Nuuk, in accordance with Greenlandic broadcaster KNR. He stated he has no plans to fulfill with politicians throughout his temporary keep.
Trump Jr flew to Greenland on a Trump-branded airplane. Posts on social media confirmed him being greeted within the airport arrivals corridor by folks carrying crimson Make America Great Again caps.
“My son, Don Jr, and various representatives will be traveling there to visit some of the most magnificent areas and sights,” the elder Trump earlier wrote on his on-line mouthpiece Truth Social.
“Greenland is an incredible place, and the people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our Nation,” added the Republican chief, who is because of return to workplace on January 20.
It was not stated which representatives would accompany his son to Greenland, which is an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark however doesn’t management its personal overseas and safety coverage.
Reaction from Greenland, an enormous island containing 2,166,000 sq. kilometers and 56,000 inhabitants, was swift.
“I don’t want to be a pawn in Trump’s wild dreams of expanding his empire and including our country in it,” Aaja Chemnitz, a member for Greenland within the Danish parliament, wrote on Facebook.
She additionally advised Danish broadcaster DR she was open to cooperation with the U.S. in areas reminiscent of tourism, uncooked supplies and training. However, she emphasised that Greenlanders would resolve their future.
“As someone who has traveled to some fascinating places across the globe as an outdoorsman, I’m excited to stop into Greenland for a little bit of fun this week,” Trump Jr advised Fox News earlier than flying.
The president’s eldest son has not but been appointed to any official place in Trump’s administration, no less than publicly.
However, he’s thought-about a detailed adviser to his father and was closely concerned within the election marketing campaign. Trump Jr’s journey to Greenland is due to this fact additionally politically explosive.
His father additionally stated on Truth Social that Greenland can be protected against “a very vicious outside World,” exhorting in a play on his personal MAGA election slogan, “Make Greenland Great Again.”
Trump brought about a furor in December by stating: “For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity.”
He brought about further concern by naming additionally Panama within the context of increasing the U.S. territory, and even Canada as “a possible 51st state of the U.S.”
Trump had proposed shopping for Greenland throughout his first time period in workplace. The far-fetched provide led to a diplomatic dust-up between Washington and Copenhagen.
“Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale,” the island’s Prime Minister Mute Egede stated in a press release final month, after Trump floated the thought once more. The Danish authorities reiterated its assist for Egede’s place.
Due to its location within the Arctic, its proximity to Russia, its suspected mineral assets and an essential U.S. navy base, the island is strategically essential for each the U.S. and Denmark.
Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen emphasised in December that Denmark couldn’t monitor Greenland’s huge territory by itself. “There are no concrete plans, but we will work with the U.S.,” he stated.
Recently, the Danish authorities introduced plans to strengthen Greenland’s safety with a big funding.
Since the beginning of the 12 months, the brand new royal coat of arms has additionally given extra prominence to Greenland, symbolized by a polar bear. The Faroe Islands, a part of the Danish realm, are featured extra too.
The Danish court docket acknowledged that King Frederik X aimed to create a up to date coat of arms with the adjustments. Whether the renewal is linked to Trump’s curiosity in Greenland stays unclear.
Meanwhile, following the announcement by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday that he was resigning, Trump doubled down on his 51st state jibe at his nation’s northern neighbor.
“If Canada merged with the U.S., there would be no Tariffs, taxes would go way down, and they would be totally secure from the threat of the Russian and Chinese Ships that are constantly surrounding them,” he posted on his web site.
Source: www.dailysabah.com