Former national security adviser John Bolton sees Greenland as an issue of “critical importance” to U.S. security.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
hide caption
toggle caption
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
There seems to be little that President Trump and one of his first-term national security advisers, John Bolton, agree on publicly these days — but one issue may be whether the U.S. should acquire Greenland from Denmark.
Making Greenland an American territory or commonwealth, in Bolton’s view, could help with security interests of “critical importance” to the U.S. and allies in fending off potential threats from adversaries like Russia and China.
Trump fired Bolton, who had previously served as his U.S. ambassador to the U.N., in 2019 — the same year the president first spoke about his ambitions for Greenland. And Bolton told NPR that he thinks the president ruined the country’s chances of negotiating to acquire the semiautonomous territory by failing to speak privately with Danish leaders about the possibility first.
While Bolton maintains there are other paths to allowing the U.S. and allies to fend off geopolitical threats in the Arctic region, he accused Trump of acting like a “playground bully” in his approach — noting Trump’s refusal to rule out military force to take Greenland.
In response to Bolton’s remarks, White House National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes told NPR:
“President Trump’s America First Policy is already paying dividends – especially in the Western Hemisphere. Both Mexico & Canada have agreed to send troops and personnel to our borders to stop the flow of fentanyl from China, Panama is ending its Belt & Road deal with China, Maduro has released six American hostages from Venezuela, and Colombia agreed to take repatriation flights for their citizens in the U.S. illegally. We’re sorry John Bolton can’t comprehend the President’s many successes in just three weeks.”
An aerial view of mountains just north of Greenland’s capital, Nuuk. Greenland has a larger land area than Mexico and a small population of only 56,000 people.
Has President Trump expressed any interest in establishing a casino in Nuuk?
A hunter heads into the fjord that surrounds Nuuk.
John W. Poole/NPR
hide caption
toggle caption
John W. Poole/NPR
Bolton: It was more of a whimsical suggestion about putting a casino in Nuuk, followed by a clear statement that it was not a serious plan. This approach did not sit well with the people of Greenland. It highlights a larger issue of national security implications being overlooked. President Trump’s casual remarks can have severe consequences, and he seems unaware of the potential harm caused by such statements.
Summers: Many observers believe that the recent rhetoric surrounding Greenland, along with comments about other territories like Canada, Panama Canal, and Gaza, may indicate a shift towards American imperialism. How do you respond to these concerns about security versus independence and colonialism?
Bolton: The United States has historically been one of the least imperialist major powers. While our history is not without flaws, it differs significantly from other global powers. It is inaccurate to attribute a new doctrine or policy to President Trump, as he lacks a coherent strategy or philosophy. His public statements do not align to form a strategic plan and can hinder the achievement of his goals. Trump’s approach to negotiations, akin to his business style, may not be conducive to successful diplomacy.
statement in a different way:
“Please be advised that the meeting has been rescheduled to next week.”
The meeting has been postponed to the following week.
