Key facts
- US President Donald Trump stated Greenland should be controlled by the United States.
- Trump claimed Denmark has not sufficiently invested in Greenland's security.
- He noted the presence of Chinese and Russian ships around Greenland.
- Trump admitted his previous interest in Greenland had strained relations with NATO allies.
- He expressed disappointment with NATO allies for not supporting US military action in Iran.
- Trump is considering readmitting Turkey into the F35 fighter jet program.
US President Donald Trump has revived his claim that Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, should be controlled by the United States. Speaking to reporters upon his arrival in Ankara for the NATO summit, Trump asserted that Denmark has not sufficiently invested in the Arctic territory's security and highlighted the presence of Chinese and Russian ships in the surrounding waters.
Trump acknowledged that his earlier pursuit of Greenland had negatively impacted relations with NATO allies. He also voiced disappointment with NATO members for not joining the US in its military action in Iran earlier in the year. The US President indicated he was considering readmitting Turkey into the F35 fighter jet program, a move that was suspended in 2019 after Turkey's purchase of a Russian air defence system.
Earlier at the NATO Defence Industry Forum, allies from Canada and Europe pledged approximately €50 billion in defence investment. The summit was intended to focus on collective security investments, but Trump's remarks on Greenland and his criticism of allies' support in Iran immediately cast a shadow over the proceedings.