US opens new consulate in Greenland amid protests
The US opens a new consulate in Greenland amid protests. The new consulate general appears to be aimed at deepening the US diplomatic presence in Greenland.
WASHINGTON – Despite the Iran war and increased attention to Cuba, the Trump administration made clear Wednesday that it is not taking its eyes off Greenland.
During a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on June 3, Secretary of State Marco Rubio was asked, “Do you recognize that Greenland is indeed part of Denmark?”
“For now,” Rubio said.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly promised during his second term to acquire Greenland, sparking tensions with European allies and protests in the semi-autonomous Danish territory. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and the island’s government have made it clear that Greenland is not for sale.
President Trump’s supporters argue that there is strategic value in making Greenland part of the United States, given its geographic location and riches in oil, uranium and other rare minerals. President Trump has argued that the United States needs control of the world’s largest island to counter threats from Russia and China.
Rubio told lawmakers on June 3 that his administration is in talks with Greenland and Denmark, adding that the talks are “at a good stage.”
“We are actually participating in discussions with Greenland and Denmark about using Greenland for the collective defense of all of us,” he said. “This is an important part of missile defense, and we are currently participating in those negotiations.”
Rubio did not elaborate on the talks, but said: “I think we’ll get some pretty good news at some point.”
Last month, the United States opened a new consulate and sent a special envoy to the Arctic. President Trump also posted an AI-generated image of himself overlooking a mountainous village, captioning the photo, “Hello, Greenland!”
Hundreds of protesters chanted “no means no” and “Greenland belongs to Greenlanders” at the opening of the new consulate in downtown Nuuk, Reuters reported.
Contributors: Kim Hjelmgaard and Phillip M. Bailey, USA TODAY.
