ByAFP
January 7, 2025
Donald Trump on Tuesday pushed NATO members to boost their defense spending to five percent of GDP, underlining his long-standing claims that they are underpaying for US protection.
“They can all afford it, but they should be at five percent not two percent,” the incoming US president told reporters.
“Europe is in for a tiny fraction of the money that we’re in,” Trump said. “We have a thing called the ocean in between us, right? Why are we in for billions and billions of dollars more money than Europe?”
Trump has long been skeptical of NATO, the cornerstone of security in Europe since World War II, and last month reiterated a familiar threat to leave the alliance if its members did not step up spending.
The transatlantic alliance’s 32 countries in 2023 set a minimum level for defense spending of two percent of gross domestic product, and Russia’s war in Ukraine has jolted NATO to strengthen its eastern flank and ramp up spending.
The transatlantic alliance's 32 countries in 2023 set a minimum level for defense spending of two percent of gross domestic product - Copyright AFP/File Mandel NGAN
Trump is not the only top official to call for an increase — NATO chief Mark Rutte likewise said last month that “we are going to need a lot more than two percent.”
Rutte also warned that European nations were not prepared for the threat of future war with Russia, calling on them to “turbocharge” their defense spending.
In his remarks on Tuesday, Trump claimed that President Joe Biden decided Ukraine should be able to join NATO, suggesting that this helped lead to Russia’s all-out invasion in February 2022.
“Somewhere along the line, Biden said, no, they should be able to join NATO. Well, Russia has somebody right on their doorstep, and I could understand their feeling about that,” Trump said.
NATO allies in reality agreed to Ukrainian membership in 2008 — when Republican president George W. Bush was in office — while the United States and Germany have more recently backed away from allowing Kyiv to join out of fear it could drag the alliance into a war with Russia.
Trump has vowed to press for a quick deal to end Russia’s war, raising concerns about the future of US military aid for Kyiv that has been key to helping it resist Moscow’s assault.
The conflict “should have never been started,” Trump said Tuesday, adding: “I guarantee you, if I were president, (the) war would have never happened
Freewheeling Trump sets out territorial ambitions
By AFP
January 7, 2025
US President-elect Donald Trump railed against Joe Biden - Copyright AFP/File Jim WATSON
Donald Trump threatened military action to secure the Panama Canal and economic force against neighboring Canada, in a meandering press conference Tuesday a day after Congress certified his election victory.
The Republican billionaire had gathered reporters in southern Florida to announce a $20 billion Emirati investment in US technology but his remarks quickly became a rally-style rant as he returned at length to many of his campaign themes.
“Since we won the election, the whole perception of the whole world is different. People from other countries have called me. They said, ‘Thank you, thank you,'” Trump said as he set out his agenda for the coming four years.
But the president-elect hammered President Joe Biden over the 2025 transition, claiming that the White House was “trying everything they can to make it more difficult.”
Trump, 78, has not acknowledged his 2020 defeat and refused to participate in the transfer of power to Biden.
On the international stage, the incoming president announced he was planning to rename the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America” and threatened the US’s southern neighbor with massive tariffs if it does not halt illegal entries across the border.
He refused to rule out using the military to seize Greenland and the Panama Canal — both of which he has long coveted — repeating his criticism of the decision to allow local control of the Central American waterway by then-president Jimmy Carter, who died in December.
Asked if he would use military force to bring Canada to heel, the incoming president said “no, economic force.”
As with many of Trump’s pronouncements, it was difficult at times to separate humor or bombast from genuine policy, but Trump said eliminating the “artificially drawn” US-Canada border would be a boon to national security.
– Inauguration –
He hammered Biden over the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and US foreign policy in Ukraine and Syria, repeating a familiar false claim that America “had no wars” in his first term.
“We defeated ISIS. We had no wars. Now I’m going into a world that’s burning with Russia and Ukraine and Israel,” Trump said.
Much of the event was focused on criticism of Biden, whom Trump baselessly accused of being behind the multiple legal challenges he faces — including the possible release of a federal report into his efforts to overturn 2020 election and sentencing set for Friday in his New York hush money case.
Trump, who returns to the White House on January 20, hit his rival on inflation and vowed to overturn the Democrat’s executive order banning offshore oil and gas development off swathes of US coastline.
The press conference came a day after Congress counted and certified Trump’s state-by-state electoral college votes, officially naming him the next president, on the fourth anniversary of the 2021 US Capitol riot by a pro-Trump mob.
Trump has promised to pardon many of his supporters who stormed Congress and was asked if that would extend to people who had assaulted police. He dodged the question and claimed falsely that the crowd at the Capitol had been unarmed.
'You're for attacking Greenland?' CNN panel gets heated as Republican defends US expansion
Daniel Hampton
January 8, 2025
(Screengrab via CNN)
A heated debate unfolded Tuesday night on CNN over President-elect Donald Trump's suggestion that the U.S. obtain Greenland, either through economic or military force.
Trump has said the U.S. needs the massive island for "economic security." When asked Tuesday if he would consider using military or economic coercion to make the acquisition proceed, Trump replied: “I can’t assure you — you’re talking about Panama and Greenland — no, I can’t assure you on either of those two."
His escalating words became the topic of a lively discussion on CNN's NewsNight, with Josh Rogin, global opinions columnist for The Washington Post, drawing a quick retort from GOP strategist Scott Jennings, when Rogin said: "America is not an expansionist military power. Not in the 21st century."
"Why?" Jennings flatly interjected. "Why not?"
"Because that's not the world that we live in," replied Rogin.
As host Abby Philip turned to Jennings and asked him to answer his own question, a taken-aback Rogin interrupted as well: "So you're for attacking Greenland as well? Is that what you're saying? You're open to the idea of attacking Greenland?"
Jennings denied the insinuation and said the United States doesn't have to attack the island.
"We can buy it," he said, to which Rogin insisted the island is not up for sale, and cannot be bought.
"What you're saying is not true," said Rogin.
"Everything is not up for sale until it is," Jennings replied, as both men continued to ignore Philip.
Philip finally noted to Jennings the new order of the world is superpowers do not get to "take" smaller countries with military force.
"That is the era of not being in an expansionist military era," she said, asking why he feels that's "not true."
Jennings said Phillip can "think small" but Trump isn't.
"Trump's thinking big and he's thinking about U.S. interests," he said, noting the island has rare minerals and the U.S. has a facility there already.
He added: "What Donald Trump is saying is we are not a shrinking violet anymore."
Later in the discussion, as Jennings insisted Trump's unpredictability makes the rest of the world take Trump seriously, Philip said she'd had enough.
"I have to call this out because at the end of the day, this is the 21st century. Ok? The United States is not running around the world and saying, 'I must have that! We'll take it!' This is not the colonial era. Are we really in a world in which you are comfortable saying the United States is now going to be one of those countries that just takes whatever they feel like taking on the map?"
"That's what Russia does, that's what China does. We're supposed to be better than that, Scott!" shouted Rogin.
As Jennings tried to repeat that Trump is only doing what's in the country's best interest, Phillip tried to interject again.
"This doesn't have to be a hostile conversation," insisted Jennings, to which Philip pressed: "I'm not disputing the nature of the problem. The question is what is the solution? The solution that Trump has put on the table is one that does not make any sense and also abandons American principles!"
Daniel Hampton
January 8, 2025
(Screengrab via CNN)
A heated debate unfolded Tuesday night on CNN over President-elect Donald Trump's suggestion that the U.S. obtain Greenland, either through economic or military force.
Trump has said the U.S. needs the massive island for "economic security." When asked Tuesday if he would consider using military or economic coercion to make the acquisition proceed, Trump replied: “I can’t assure you — you’re talking about Panama and Greenland — no, I can’t assure you on either of those two."
His escalating words became the topic of a lively discussion on CNN's NewsNight, with Josh Rogin, global opinions columnist for The Washington Post, drawing a quick retort from GOP strategist Scott Jennings, when Rogin said: "America is not an expansionist military power. Not in the 21st century."
"Why?" Jennings flatly interjected. "Why not?"
"Because that's not the world that we live in," replied Rogin.
As host Abby Philip turned to Jennings and asked him to answer his own question, a taken-aback Rogin interrupted as well: "So you're for attacking Greenland as well? Is that what you're saying? You're open to the idea of attacking Greenland?"
Jennings denied the insinuation and said the United States doesn't have to attack the island.
"We can buy it," he said, to which Rogin insisted the island is not up for sale, and cannot be bought.
"What you're saying is not true," said Rogin.
"Everything is not up for sale until it is," Jennings replied, as both men continued to ignore Philip.
Philip finally noted to Jennings the new order of the world is superpowers do not get to "take" smaller countries with military force.
"That is the era of not being in an expansionist military era," she said, asking why he feels that's "not true."
Jennings said Phillip can "think small" but Trump isn't.
"Trump's thinking big and he's thinking about U.S. interests," he said, noting the island has rare minerals and the U.S. has a facility there already.
He added: "What Donald Trump is saying is we are not a shrinking violet anymore."
Later in the discussion, as Jennings insisted Trump's unpredictability makes the rest of the world take Trump seriously, Philip said she'd had enough.
"I have to call this out because at the end of the day, this is the 21st century. Ok? The United States is not running around the world and saying, 'I must have that! We'll take it!' This is not the colonial era. Are we really in a world in which you are comfortable saying the United States is now going to be one of those countries that just takes whatever they feel like taking on the map?"
"That's what Russia does, that's what China does. We're supposed to be better than that, Scott!" shouted Rogin.
As Jennings tried to repeat that Trump is only doing what's in the country's best interest, Phillip tried to interject again.
"This doesn't have to be a hostile conversation," insisted Jennings, to which Philip pressed: "I'm not disputing the nature of the problem. The question is what is the solution? The solution that Trump has put on the table is one that does not make any sense and also abandons American principles!"
Trump's Greenland stunt reminds leaders of the times they laughed at him: strategist
Sarah K. Burris
January 7, 2025
RAW STORY
Donald Trump Jr. visits Nuuk, Greenland, on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. Donald Trump Jr. is on a private visit to Greenland. Emil Stach/Ritzau Scanpix/via REUTERS
President-elect Donald Trump continues to be fascinated by Greenland, which he thinks the United States should acquire from Denmark. This week, Trump sent his son, Donald Trump Jr., along with far-right activist Charlie Kirk, to visit the island off the coast of Canada.
Speaking to MSNBC on Tuesday, Democratic strategist Richard Goodstein said that this likely reminds foreign leaders of Trump's ignorance of foreign affairs.
"Trump loves bullying and picking fights. Let's not forget that respecting sovereignty is a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy," said Goodstein. "It's why we are back in Ukraine; it's why we have NATO. Trump plays footsies with all these tyrants in China, Russia, and North Korea and makes a mockery of our allies."
Meanwhile, Trump is humiliating himself on the national stage for a second time, he said.
"I think people will be reminded, certainly our foreign leaders, of the time they've laughed about Trump behind his back at a NATO meeting while Trump was president after he had left because he made such a fool out of himself," Goodstein recalled. "I think that's what he's reminding these leaders of, and the American public of. How foolish he can be because he thinks in his own addled way that somehow this brings glory to him. I think that's shortsighted."
Republican strategist Susan del Percio pointed out that Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) would maintain these relationships, and she wondered how he'd navigate them given Trump's unsophisticated understanding of foreign policy.
See the video below or at the link here.
Sarah K. Burris
January 7, 2025
RAW STORY
Donald Trump Jr. visits Nuuk, Greenland, on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. Donald Trump Jr. is on a private visit to Greenland. Emil Stach/Ritzau Scanpix/via REUTERS
President-elect Donald Trump continues to be fascinated by Greenland, which he thinks the United States should acquire from Denmark. This week, Trump sent his son, Donald Trump Jr., along with far-right activist Charlie Kirk, to visit the island off the coast of Canada.
Speaking to MSNBC on Tuesday, Democratic strategist Richard Goodstein said that this likely reminds foreign leaders of Trump's ignorance of foreign affairs.
"Trump loves bullying and picking fights. Let's not forget that respecting sovereignty is a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy," said Goodstein. "It's why we are back in Ukraine; it's why we have NATO. Trump plays footsies with all these tyrants in China, Russia, and North Korea and makes a mockery of our allies."
Meanwhile, Trump is humiliating himself on the national stage for a second time, he said.
"I think people will be reminded, certainly our foreign leaders, of the time they've laughed about Trump behind his back at a NATO meeting while Trump was president after he had left because he made such a fool out of himself," Goodstein recalled. "I think that's what he's reminding these leaders of, and the American public of. How foolish he can be because he thinks in his own addled way that somehow this brings glory to him. I think that's shortsighted."
Republican strategist Susan del Percio pointed out that Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) would maintain these relationships, and she wondered how he'd navigate them given Trump's unsophisticated understanding of foreign policy.
See the video below or at the link here.
Trump Jr in Greenland on ‘tourist’ day trip as father eyes territory
By AFP
January 7, 2025
Donald Trump Jr landed in Greenland for a private visit - Copyright Ritzau Scanpix/AFP Mads Madsen Arctic Creative
Camille BAS-WOHLERT
Donald Trump Jr made a private visit to Greenland on Tuesday, just weeks after his father restated his interest in the mineral- and oil-rich Danish autonomous territory, which itself wants independence.
The US President-elect on Monday called the Arctic island “an incredible place”, promising that its people would prosper should it ever be annexed by Washington.
“We will protect it, and cherish it, from a very vicious outside World. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!” he wrote on his Truth Social platform, after reiterating before Christmas that he wanted the United States to take control.
As Trump’s son touched down on what he said was a day trip, Danish Prime Minister Mette Fredriksen warned: “Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders.”
But Trump Jr was at pains to point out he was not there “to buy Greenland”. “I will be talking to people. I’m just going there as a tourist,” he said on the social media platform Rumble.
Greenland holds major mineral and oil reserves — though oil and uranium exploration are banned — and has a strategic location in the Arctic, already home to a US military base.
Greenlandic media have said he would only be there for several hours and no official meetings were scheduled.
“This particular trip is probably just as Trump Jr said himself, to make video content,” Ulrik Pram Gad, a Greenland expert at the Danish Institute for International Studies, told AFP.
“What’s worrying is the way Trump (Sr) is talking about international relations, and it can be even worse if he starts ‘grabbing land’.”
– Pushback –
Trump first said he wanted to buy Greenland in 2019 during his first term as president, an offer immediately quashed by Greenland and Denmark.
“Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must not lose our long struggle for freedom,” Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Egede said after Trump’s Christmas message.
“Most Greenlanders will be in line with their prime minister that Greenland is not for sale but open for business,” Pram Gad said.
Aaja Chemnitz, a lawmaker who represents Greenland in the Danish parliament, rejected Trump’s offer with a firm “No thank you”.
“Unbelievable that some people can be so naive as to believe that our happiness lies in us becoming American citizens,” she wrote on Facebook, adding that she refused to be “a part of Trump’s wet dreams of expanding his empire to include our country”.
With 57,000 inhabitants spread out across 2.2 million square kilometres (849,424 square miles), Greenland is geographically closer to the North American continent than to Europe.
Colonised by the Danes in the 18th century, it is located about 2,500 kilometres from Copenhagen, on which it depends for more than half of its public budget.
The subsidies it receives from Copenhagen amount to a fifth of its GDP.
The other pillar of its economy is the fisheries industry.
– Steps toward independence –
Greenland has been autonomous since 1979 and has its own flag, language and institutions. But justice, monetary, defence and foreign affairs all remain under Danish control.
The creation of the post of Arctic ambassador has caused friction between Copenhagen and Nuuk, after Denmark two years ago appointed a diplomat with no ties to the region.
At the end of December, the Danish government announced Nuuk would from now on appoint candidates to the post, and represent the country on the Arctic Council.
In his New Year’s address, Greenland’s prime minister said the territory had to take “a step forward” and shape its own future, “notably when it comes to trading partners and the people with whom we should collaborate closely”.
In 2023, plans for a Greenlandic constitution were presented to the local parliament, the Inatsisartut.
However, “there has been no public debate on it so far,” researcher Ulrik Pram Gad said.
The issue could become a talking point during the upcoming campaign for Greenland’s legislative elections, which must be held before April 6.
“I expect there to be more talks about the formal steps towards independence, how politicians intend to secure the welfare state and the future of Greenland,” he said.
By AFP
January 7, 2025
Donald Trump Jr landed in Greenland for a private visit - Copyright Ritzau Scanpix/AFP Mads Madsen Arctic Creative
Camille BAS-WOHLERT
Donald Trump Jr made a private visit to Greenland on Tuesday, just weeks after his father restated his interest in the mineral- and oil-rich Danish autonomous territory, which itself wants independence.
The US President-elect on Monday called the Arctic island “an incredible place”, promising that its people would prosper should it ever be annexed by Washington.
“We will protect it, and cherish it, from a very vicious outside World. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!” he wrote on his Truth Social platform, after reiterating before Christmas that he wanted the United States to take control.
As Trump’s son touched down on what he said was a day trip, Danish Prime Minister Mette Fredriksen warned: “Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders.”
But Trump Jr was at pains to point out he was not there “to buy Greenland”. “I will be talking to people. I’m just going there as a tourist,” he said on the social media platform Rumble.
Greenland holds major mineral and oil reserves — though oil and uranium exploration are banned — and has a strategic location in the Arctic, already home to a US military base.
Greenlandic media have said he would only be there for several hours and no official meetings were scheduled.
“This particular trip is probably just as Trump Jr said himself, to make video content,” Ulrik Pram Gad, a Greenland expert at the Danish Institute for International Studies, told AFP.
“What’s worrying is the way Trump (Sr) is talking about international relations, and it can be even worse if he starts ‘grabbing land’.”
– Pushback –
Trump first said he wanted to buy Greenland in 2019 during his first term as president, an offer immediately quashed by Greenland and Denmark.
“Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must not lose our long struggle for freedom,” Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Egede said after Trump’s Christmas message.
“Most Greenlanders will be in line with their prime minister that Greenland is not for sale but open for business,” Pram Gad said.
Aaja Chemnitz, a lawmaker who represents Greenland in the Danish parliament, rejected Trump’s offer with a firm “No thank you”.
“Unbelievable that some people can be so naive as to believe that our happiness lies in us becoming American citizens,” she wrote on Facebook, adding that she refused to be “a part of Trump’s wet dreams of expanding his empire to include our country”.
With 57,000 inhabitants spread out across 2.2 million square kilometres (849,424 square miles), Greenland is geographically closer to the North American continent than to Europe.
Colonised by the Danes in the 18th century, it is located about 2,500 kilometres from Copenhagen, on which it depends for more than half of its public budget.
The subsidies it receives from Copenhagen amount to a fifth of its GDP.
The other pillar of its economy is the fisheries industry.
– Steps toward independence –
Greenland has been autonomous since 1979 and has its own flag, language and institutions. But justice, monetary, defence and foreign affairs all remain under Danish control.
The creation of the post of Arctic ambassador has caused friction between Copenhagen and Nuuk, after Denmark two years ago appointed a diplomat with no ties to the region.
At the end of December, the Danish government announced Nuuk would from now on appoint candidates to the post, and represent the country on the Arctic Council.
In his New Year’s address, Greenland’s prime minister said the territory had to take “a step forward” and shape its own future, “notably when it comes to trading partners and the people with whom we should collaborate closely”.
In 2023, plans for a Greenlandic constitution were presented to the local parliament, the Inatsisartut.
However, “there has been no public debate on it so far,” researcher Ulrik Pram Gad said.
The issue could become a talking point during the upcoming campaign for Greenland’s legislative elections, which must be held before April 6.
“I expect there to be more talks about the formal steps towards independence, how politicians intend to secure the welfare state and the future of Greenland,” he said.
Donald Trump Jr. gripes about 'Danish fake news' as he flees Greenland after less than day
David Edwards
January 7, 2025
David Edwards
January 7, 2025
RAW STORY
Instagram/Donald Trump Jr./screen grab
Donald Trump Jr. quickly left Greenland Tuesday after spending less than a day in the autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark.
The son of President-elect Donald Trump traveled to the island as part of his father's effort to purchase the territory. Representatives from Denmark, however, made it clear that Greenland was "not for sale."
Greenlandic Prime Minister Múte Egede "has been very, very clear … that there is a lot of support among the people of Greenland that Greenland is not for sale and will not be in the future either," Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Tuesday.
In a video posted to Instagram, Donald Trump Jr. accused Danish outlets of spreading "fake news" as his plane was preparing for takeoff.
"Incredible experience," he said. "By the way, they love America here. They love America. They love Trump."
"Danish fake news has been doing a lot of anti-American sentiment, so that shouldn't surprise us, but let's go have some fun," he added.
Instagram/Donald Trump Jr./screen grab
Donald Trump Jr. quickly left Greenland Tuesday after spending less than a day in the autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark.
The son of President-elect Donald Trump traveled to the island as part of his father's effort to purchase the territory. Representatives from Denmark, however, made it clear that Greenland was "not for sale."
Greenlandic Prime Minister Múte Egede "has been very, very clear … that there is a lot of support among the people of Greenland that Greenland is not for sale and will not be in the future either," Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Tuesday.
In a video posted to Instagram, Donald Trump Jr. accused Danish outlets of spreading "fake news" as his plane was preparing for takeoff.
"Incredible experience," he said. "By the way, they love America here. They love America. They love Trump."
"Danish fake news has been doing a lot of anti-American sentiment, so that shouldn't surprise us, but let's go have some fun," he added.
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