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View over Tasiilaq village, Greenland Alamy Stock Photo

'Not for sale': As Trump eyes Greenland (again), what's the status of the world's largest island?

Greenland is associated with the European Union through its close relationship with Denmark, of which it is a self-governing territory.

LAST UPDATE | 8 Jan

FRANCE’S FOREIGN MINISTER has warned Donald Trump against threatening the “sovereign borders” of the European Union after the US president-elect refused to rule out military action to take control of Greenland, an autonomous territory of EU member Denmark.

Trump has made a number of remarks recently outlining his desire for territorial expansion, which prompted reporters to ask if he would use military force to do so. 

In addition to Greenland, Trump has indicated he wants the Panama Canal and Canada to be under US control. 

‘Law of the strongest’ 

“There is no question of the EU letting other nations in the world, whoever they may be… attack its sovereign borders,” Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told France Inter radio.

“We are a strong continent. We need to strengthen ourselves more,” he added.

Barrot described Greenland as “European territory”.

“If you ask me: ‘Is the United States going to invade Greenland?’ the answer is no,” said Barrot.

But he added: “We have entered an era that is seeing the return of the law of the strongest.”

“Should we be intimidated? Should we be overcome with worry? Evidently, no.

“We need to wake up and reinforce ourselves, militarily, in competition, in a world where the law of the strongest prevails.”

Barrot said he believed that the United States is “inherently not imperialistic” and said he “did not believe” that it is changing.

In Berlin, German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said in response to Trump’s remarks that “as always, the firm principle applies… that borders must not be moved by force”.

The world’s largest island 

Greenland is associated with the European Union through its close relationship with Denmark, of which it is a self-governing territory. 

The island, with its population of 57,000 spread out across 2.2 million square kilometres, is rich in natural resources, although oil and uranium exploration are banned. 

Greenland is also strategically significant in geopolitical terms due to its location in the Arctic. Geographically, it is closer to North America than to Europe and is also home to a US military base.

The country has been autonomous since 1979 and has its own flag, language and institutions. However, Greenland’s judiciary, monetary policy, defence and foreign affairs all remain under Danish control.

The Greenland government also relies on Denmark for more than half of its budget and the subsidies it receives from Copenhagen amount to a fifth of its GDP.

aug-2008-aqqusinersuaq-nuuk-main-street-greenalnd-image-shot-102008-exact-date-unknown Aqqusinersuaq, Nuuk Main street, Greenland Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

‘Make Greenland great again!’ 

In a rambling news conference yesterday, Donald Trump refused to rule out military intervention over his stated ambition to take control of both the Panama Canal and Greenland.

“I am not going to commit to that (no military action). It might be that you have to do something,” Trump told reporters.

“We need them for economic security,” he said.

His comments coincided with a private visit to Greenland by his son Donald Trump Jr, which he describes as a tourist trip. 

A day earlier, the incoming US president called Greenland “an incredible place”, promising that its people would prosper if it were ever be annexed by Washington.

“We will protect it, and cherish it, from a very vicious outside World. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!” he wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Then yesterday, he wrote that the island needed “safety, security, strength and PEACE! This is a deal that must happen.”

This is not the first time Trump has expressed a desire for the acquisition of Greenland. 

During his first term in the White House in 2019, he said he wanted to buy Greenland, an offer quickly rejected by Greenland and Denmark.

Outgoing US Secretary of State Antony Blinken rejected Trump’s threat against Greenland at a news conference in Paris today, reassuring Europe that a US military intervention would not occur.

“The idea expressed about Greenland is obviously not a good one, but maybe more important, it’s obviously one that’s not going to happen,” Blinken said.

‘Not for sale’

“Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must not lose our long struggle for freedom,” Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Egede said. 

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told Danish television TV2 she did not believe Trump’s pursuit would ever go that far.

“I don’t have the fantasy to imagine that it’ll ever get to that,” she said, calling for cool heads to prevail.

“As a very close ally of the United States, I think there is reason to be happy about the increasing American interest. But it will have to be done in a way that is respectful of the Greenlandic people,” she said.

Aaja Chemnitz, a politician who represents Greenland in the Danish parliament, rejected Trump’s offer with a firm “No thank you”.

“Unbelievable that some people can be so naive as to believe that our happiness lies in us becoming American citizens,” she wrote on Facebook, adding that she refused to be “a part of Trump’s wet dreams of expanding his empire to include our country”.

‘Open to dialogue’

In an apparent olive branch offering, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen told reporters that the Danish Realm – which includes Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands – is “open to a dialogue with the Americans on how we can cooperate, possibly even more closely than we already do, to ensure that American ambitions are fulfilled.”

Lokke Rasmussen noted that the United States and NATO had “legitimate” interests in the region because of international events.

“In conjunction with the melting of the Arctic and new shipping lanes opening up, we are unfortunately also seeing an increase in great power rivalry. We see a Russia that is arming itself. We see a China that is also starting to take an interest,” the Danish foreign minister said.

The top diplomat urged calm amid the new frenzy.

“I try to deal with the realities, and I think we should all do ourselves a favour by getting our heart rate down a bit,” he said.

With reporting from AFP

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    Mute Kevin
    Favourite Kevin
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    Jan 4th 2015, 5:39 PM

    He was once asked what it was like to be black and Irish. He replied – “Like a Pint of Guinness.” A true legend who is very dearly missed.

    263
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    Mute amos brearly
    Favourite amos brearly
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    Jan 4th 2015, 5:31 PM

    Absolute legend.

    173
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    Mute Andrew Hickey
    Favourite Andrew Hickey
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    Jan 4th 2015, 9:16 PM

    Hadn’t a note. A populist nonsense.

    10
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    Mute Isaac Smyth
    Favourite Isaac Smyth
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    Jan 4th 2015, 11:42 PM

    You clearly know nothing about music. Phil definitely did. He was original, edgey, wrote catchy and timeless tunes famous the world over, launched the careers of some guitar greats, inspired future generations of heavy metal , hard rock and pop acts ( such was his influence on multiple genres). A gentleman by all accounts, fantastic rhythm and timing, excellent vocalist, excellent and moving lyricist. A proud Irish son in the tradition of irish genius. Up there with Joyce and Yeats for his contribution to the Irish arts.

    Now tell us, what have you achieved in music that qualifies you to say he hadn’t a note?

    43
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    Mute Nollaig Kelly
    Favourite Nollaig Kelly
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    Jan 4th 2015, 5:44 PM

    The fishing boats are lying safe at howth
    Phil old pal so are you

    Still missed today

    Tonight I’ll another bottle of wine and another bottle of gin

    And blast out live and dangerous sorry neighbours

    109
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    Mute Gary Gary
    Favourite Gary Gary
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    Jan 4th 2015, 5:53 PM

    I didn’t know him but I’m sorry for your loss guys.
    Hope yis are ok just remember the good times you had with Phil

    42
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    Mute ted hagan
    Favourite ted hagan
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    Jan 4th 2015, 9:54 PM

    Ola

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    Mute Liam Fleming
    Favourite Liam Fleming
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    Jan 4th 2015, 5:46 PM

    29 years gone, but never forgotten

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    Mute William Clay
    Favourite William Clay
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    Jan 4th 2015, 7:03 PM

    To each their own but in my opinion that accolade goes to Rory Gallagher.
    I have been of fan since I saw both in Punchestown in 1982 but Rory, for me, will always be ahead.

    When asked in an interview what it was like to be the best guitarist in the World, Jimi Hendrix replied, ‘I wouldn’t know, ask Rory Gallagher’

    69
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    Mute Jack Delaney
    Favourite Jack Delaney
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    Jan 4th 2015, 8:07 PM

    I’m with William on this….Rory is the best…..so far. Phil is a close second though. Love both their music.

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    Mute RI Twing
    Favourite RI Twing
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    Jan 4th 2015, 5:47 PM

    Gone but not forgotten

    58
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    Mute Catherine Mayock
    Favourite Catherine Mayock
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    Jan 4th 2015, 5:55 PM

    A real showman whos music is still remembered today. He was a legend.

    59
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    Mute ptriley
    Favourite ptriley
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    Jan 4th 2015, 8:15 PM

    Too fast to live too young to die !! Met him a few times and he was a lovely fella but he was a total slave to the poxy drugs that eventually killed him

    48
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    Mute Tommy Shannon
    Favourite Tommy Shannon
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    Jan 4th 2015, 8:27 PM

    Remember the morning I heard he passed away on the radio,I was 9 heading off to school
    Those 29 years since have flown by
    Makes me think : life is short indeed

    40
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    Mute Frank
    Favourite Frank
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    Jan 4th 2015, 6:40 PM

    One of my favourites is “Out in the Fields” with Gary Moore. AFAIK It was also his last recording.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsKpazeA5L8

    38
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    Mute Ricky Mccabe
    Favourite Ricky Mccabe
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    Jan 4th 2015, 8:51 PM

    Why or how did this turn into a competition between Phil and Rory on a day that we celebrate the greatest ever songwriter , Rory was an amazing guitar player , don’t put them against each other , just be proud we had the joy of hearing them both in our lifetime.

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    Mute Arthur Pewty
    Favourite Arthur Pewty
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    Jan 4th 2015, 9:11 PM

    We are, it’s just a friendly discussion. Relax.

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    Mute Stephen O'Rourke
    Favourite Stephen O'Rourke
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    Jan 4th 2015, 6:37 PM

    Philip a Legend.

    31
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    Mute Suzanne Mc Aleenan
    Favourite Suzanne Mc Aleenan
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    Jan 4th 2015, 6:45 PM

    Loved him. Thin Lizzy best band ever.

    29
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    Mute james broderick
    Favourite james broderick
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    Jan 4th 2015, 6:45 PM

    Smack head he Was

    28
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    Mute benny dowling
    Favourite benny dowling
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    Jan 4th 2015, 6:49 PM

    Fool u are

    79
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    Mute Nollaig Kelly
    Favourite Nollaig Kelly
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    Jan 4th 2015, 6:54 PM

    Don’t feed the troll

    45
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    Mute Tom the Bomb
    Favourite Tom the Bomb
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    Jan 4th 2015, 9:18 PM

    Obvious troll is obvious. but unfortunately he’s not wrong.

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    Mute kevin
    Favourite kevin
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    Jan 4th 2015, 6:54 PM

    -Yes its true he had an addiction problem.
    -Like so many whose star shines so bright and then there is nowhere to go but down
    -and how to deal with it. Few can really
    -but he was a great personality, singer , performer and songwriter…
    one of the good guys still loved by so many

    28
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    Mute Arthur Pewty
    Favourite Arthur Pewty
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    Jan 4th 2015, 8:37 PM

    I’m torn between Phil and Rory myself….but it’s a fine choice to be stuck on. Everyone wins in the end when you listen to them

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    Mute John O'Neill
    Favourite John O'Neill
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    Jan 5th 2015, 12:34 AM

    Philo great…Rory, Genius!

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    Mute Kearney32
    Favourite Kearney32
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    Jan 4th 2015, 5:54 PM

    He wasn’t born in ireland though!!!!

    21
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    Mute vv7k7Z3c
    Favourite vv7k7Z3c
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    Jan 4th 2015, 5:55 PM

    That’s why I said Dublin-raised…

    153
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    Mute Kearney32
    Favourite Kearney32
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    Jan 4th 2015, 6:01 PM

    I was just saying as alot of irish singers were not born in ireland wasn’t being mean or anything!!

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    Mute Mr L.Jay
    Favourite Mr L.Jay
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    Jan 4th 2015, 6:42 PM

    He classed himself as being a proud Irishman.

    58
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    Mute bmul
    Favourite bmul
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    Jan 4th 2015, 6:56 PM

    A lot of people in the same boat as him but unless your rich or famous not as accepted

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    Mute bmul
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    Jan 4th 2015, 9:16 PM

    Irish parent irish day your born

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    Mute Tom the Bomb
    Favourite Tom the Bomb
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    Jan 4th 2015, 9:20 PM

    If either of your parents was an Irish citizen who was born in Ireland, then you are automatically an Irish citizen, irrespective of your place of birth.

    28
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    Mute Kearney32
    Favourite Kearney32
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    Jan 5th 2015, 8:18 AM

    Tom the bomb your right but so many second generation irish get a tough time as when they go back to ireland all you hear is your not irish as you haven’t got the accent or plastic paddy a phrase i cannot stand!! Its the second generation that really do fly flag for ireland and so proud of their roots !!!

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    Mute Frank Gorman
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    Jan 4th 2015, 8:54 PM

    emerald and the cowboy songs kick ass

    13
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    Mute Kerry Blake
    Favourite Kerry Blake
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    Jan 4th 2015, 9:01 PM

    Taken before his time but his music still lives on.

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    Mute ted hagan
    Favourite ted hagan
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    Jan 4th 2015, 9:52 PM

    Magic guy

    8
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    Mute Arthur Pewty
    Favourite Arthur Pewty
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    Jan 4th 2015, 9:13 PM

    Time to revisit on Spotify I think. Amazing musician

    7
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    Mute Isaac Smyth
    Favourite Isaac Smyth
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    Jan 4th 2015, 11:47 PM

    Phil loved Jesus, he will be will looked after.

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    Mute Danny Judge
    Favourite Danny Judge
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    Jan 6th 2015, 8:27 PM

    Philo maybe gone but not forgotten his music will live on in our hearts and our minds forever. RIP Philo, Garry, Roary.

    1
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