A Republican lawmaker from Florida has proposed a bill to annex Greenland and make it the 51st state of the United States, as President Donald Trump continues to suggest seizing the Danish territory.
Trump has repeatedly claimed that the U.S. will acquire Greenland “one way or another,” raising the prospect of either purchasing the autonomous island or taking it by force, despite strong opposition from Denmark, a NATO ally.
The bill, introduced Monday by Representative Randy Fine, would authorize the Trump administration “to take whatever steps necessary to annex or acquire Greenland.” It also calls for a report to Congress outlining changes to federal law required to make Greenland a U.S. state.
“Greenland is not a remote outpost we can afford to overlook — it is a vital national security asset,” Fine said in a statement.
Trump has emphasized that Greenland, which is rich in rare earth minerals, is critical for U.S. security, warning that China or Russia could claim it if the United States does not act.
The proposal has faced pushback from both Democrats and Republicans, while Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has stated that any armed attempt by the U.S. to seize Greenland would effectively end NATO.
On Monday, NATO and Greenland’s government announced plans to strengthen the island’s defenses, addressing one of the key security concerns cited by Trump.
AFP
