American political scientist Ian Bremmer, in an interview in the Italian daily “La Repubblica” on Sunday, commented on Donald Trump's announcement that he would impose a 10 percent tax. tariffs on those European countries that sent small groups of soldiers to Greenland.
Why does Donald Trump want Greenland?
What were Trump's threats about?
How did Ian Bremmer react to Trump's threats?
What does Bremmer think about US relations with Europe?
“It is extremely stupid to raise the level of conflict with friendly countries like this. Denmark, France, Germany and other countries punished for supporting Greenland are serious allies of the United States. Trump thinks that this will convince him to take a step back so as not to have problems with them,” said Bremmer, who deals with global political risk.
He added that ultimately “the United States will come out of this in pieces.” “Becoming an unreliable element of the alliance means transforming geopolitics into the law of the jungle. Trump is convinced that the strongest can do whatever they want. However, despite American power, it is not he who is the strongest, but Xi Jinping,” he warned.
“Besides, whatever Trump is going to do, he won't be in the White House in four years. His attitude is already pushing many countries into Beijing's arms. Look at Canadian Mark Carney, who just made an agreement with China on soy and cars,” Bremmer said, speaking about the Canadian prime minister.
Is that why Donald Trump wants Greenland? “Ego and old age”
The world-famous expert was asked why Donald Trump wants Greenland at all costs. “Ego and old age, and certainly not necessity. If the United States really needed Greenland, Trump would just have to pick up the phone and reach an agreement with the Danish prime minister. The truth is that in Washington, we Americans have not even tried to negotiate with the ministers from Denmark and Greenland. The only plan is to up the ante on everything that is offered,” he replied.
Greenlanders protest in NuukALESSANDRO RAMPAZZO/AFP/East News / East News
According to Bremmer, Donald Trump “feels an urgent need to finish what he has decided and wants to leave his name in various places, just as he has already done with buildings in New York or the Kennedy Center in Washington.”
President of the United States Donald TrumpSHAWN THEW / PAP
“A month ago, Greenland was not as much of a priority as it is today. However, the Venezuelan success gave Trump new energy. He believed that he could use American power to change the fate of any weaker country,” replied Ian Bremmer. US services captured dictator Nicolas Maduro and took him to custody in New York.
“Venezuela was the first trophy. Now it wants Cuba and Greenland. That is why this ice island has become more important than NATO, Ukraine, Taiwan and any other issue that has historically involved the United States governments. It does not want it because of the issue of strategic deterrence or the scarce raw materials in its soil. The expansion of the American sphere of influence is a page of history on which it wants to write its name,” said the American political scientist.
Donald Trump wants to take over Greenland. Now he threatens his allies
President Donald Trump has regularly spoken in recent weeks about the need for the US to take over Greenland, which formally belongs to Denmark. He expressed the opinion that if the United States does not take control of the island, China or Russia will do so. He rejected other solutions, such as increasing the presence of US troops there and the NATO mission proposed by Germany. He further stated that the US may be forced to “choose” between Greenland and NATO.
On Saturday, the American president announced that he would impose a 10 percent tax. tariffs on eight European countries: Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and Great Britain, for sending small groups of soldiers to Greenland. They are to take part in the Danish-led Arctic Endurance exercises.
