Sadiq Khan has taken a brutal swipe at Donald Trump as tensions over the US President’s plot to seize control of Greenland explode. Mr Trump has become engaged in a furious row with Denmark and other European countries over his vocal intention to take over the Arctic island.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos earlier today, the US President branded Denmark and Greenland « ungrateful » in a speech many people commenting on social media called « unhinged ». Mr Trump has continued to insist that Greenland is crucial to protecting the US against potential enemy missile attacks. Now, the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq, a longtime adversary of President Trump, has lashed out at the president’s recent comments. Sir Sadiq hit back with the eight-word swipe: « I believe in the sovereignty of individual countries » and insisted the future of Greenland must be decided by its own people – not by the White House. Speaking to MyLondon, the Mayor of London said: « Clearly at the moment there’s a challenge with President Trump, with what he says and what he does. I believe in international law. Denmark is part of NATO, as indeed we are, and it’s really important to protect that part of the world with the Arctic being clearly an issue for people who want to use it for their own reasons. »
He added: « I think it’s really important for us to recognise that the future of Greenland should be decided by the people of Greenland rather than presidents of other countries. »
Mr Trump has repeatedly claimed the mineral-rich island is vital to US national security, warning it is needed to defend America from potential Russian missile threats. However, Greenland’s largely indigenous Inuit population has made clear it strongly opposes any form of US takeover.
The comments come after the US President used a fiery speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos to claim Europe was « not headed in the right direction », insisting only the United States could guarantee Greenland’s security.
Mr Trump has called for « immediate negotiations » with Denmark over Greenland’s « acquisition », arguing it would « enhance » NATO rather than threaten it. The proposal has been met with fury across Europe, with Danish and EU leaders rejecting the idea outright.
US presidents have sought to buy Greenland for almost 200 years, but the row reignited in 2019 when Mr Trump’s revised offer was flatly refused by Denmark. His bid to take control of the island has since become a defining feature of his second term.
Appearing to rule out military intervention, Mr Trump said the US would be « unstoppable » if he chose to use force, before adding: « But I won’t do that. I don’t have to use force, I don’t want to use force, I won’t use force. »
The escalating row is now threatening to become one of the biggest transatlantic diplomatic crises of Mr Trump’s second term.
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