Former UK Ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson said President Trump is unlikely to seize Greenland by military force, as the president continues to press for U.S. acquisition of the Arctic territory.
Mandelson, speaking on BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg program, offered his assessment based on close observation of Trump.
“But we all know, don’t we? You know President Trump is not going to sort of land on Greenland, take Greenland by force or occupy the whole place. He’s not going to do that,” Mandelson said.
Pressed by Kuenssberg on whether he knows that definitively, Mandelson replied: “I don’t know but I’m offering you my best judgement as somebody who has observed him at fairly close quarters. He’s not a fool.”
He predicted extensive talks ahead.
“What’s going to happen, there’s going to be a lot of discussion, a lot of consultation and negotiation. And at the end of the day we are all going to have to wake up to the reality that the Arctic needs securing against China and Russia,” Mandelson added.
“If you ask me who is going to lead in that effort to secure, we all know, don’t we? It’s going to be the United States.”
The comments come as Trump reiterated his call for the U.S. to acquire Greenland outright, not merely lease it, citing national security concerns in the Arctic.
Speaking with reporters on Air Force One Sunday night, Trump argued that Greenland’s defenses are inadequate.
“Basically, their defense is two dog sleds. You know that? You know what their defense is? Two dog sleds,” Trump said.
“In the meantime, you have Russian destroyers and submarines, and China destroyers and submarines all over the place,” he continued. “We’re not going to let that happen, and if it affects NATO, then it affects NATO. But, you know, they need us more than we need them, I will tell you that right now.”
Trump emphasized the need for full ownership.
“If we don’t do it, Russia or China will, and that’s not going to happen when I’m president,” he said.
The remarks followed renewed pushback from Greenland’s leadership, which has rejected calls from Trump and members of his administration for the U.S. to take control of the island.
