Donald Trump. Photo: Enrique Shore / Alamy / Profimedia
US President Donald Trump, who is due to meet world leaders in Davos, Switzerland, has once again questioned NATO's commitment to the defense of the United States and claims that he has done more for the alliance than “any other person, living or dead”, according to CNN and The Guardian.
“We've done more for NATO than anyone else. I think, to a large extent, they'll tell you that. I think you could ask the Secretary General (Mark Rutte, nr) about it. And he said that. But NATO also has to treat us right,” said Donald Trump, on Monday, in the conference held one year after taking office.
“The big fear I have with NATO is that we've spent enormous amounts of money with NATO and I know we're going to come to their aid, but I really doubt whether they're going to come for us or not,” the US leader added.
Donald Trump: “If I hadn't come, NATO wouldn't have existed.” The American leader says that without him the Alliance would have “fallen into the oblivion of history”
The statement comes amid heightened tensions between the United States and Europe. Over the weekend, President Trump threatened eight European countries with additional tariffs until an “agreement for the full and complete sale of Greenland,” a semi-autonomous Danish territory that the White House chief claims on national security grounds, is reached. In response, the European Parliament decided to suspend the ratification process of the trade agreement between the EU and the US.
New statements on the future of Greenland
According to The Guardian, when asked about the risks his plans for Greenland pose to NATO, Trump replied: “Something will happen that will be very good for everybody.”
He claims that a solution will be found that will satisfy both the alliance and the United States.
“But we need it (Greenland, no) for security reasons, we need it for national security and even for world security,” the US president added.
Also on Tuesday, Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said it was unlikely the US would use military force against Greenland, but that an attack scenario could not be completely ruled out.
Two US officials told The New York Times on Tuesday, on condition of anonymity, that Trump has talked about the possibility of using the military to take control of Greenland, but there are no imminent plans at the Pentagon.
According to officials, although the Pentagon makes plans for all kinds of military contingencies, Trump has not yet given orders to plan an invasion of Greenland or to prepare plans for the aftermath of such an operation.
Greenland does not exclude the option of an American attack / The Pentagon has not yet received orders to plan an invasion
