Bolton: Trump's Greenland gambit could help Xi, Putin

John Bolton, President-elect Trump's former national security adviser, said Trump’s unwillingness to rule out military force on Greenland could bolster the positions of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin as they seek to justify their expansionist visions.

In an interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins on Tuesday night, Bolton said he’s concerned that Trump’s language could “have a further ramification, based on what Trump said today about declining to rule out the use of force.”

“That's exactly the same position Xi Jinping has on Taiwan. So I could easily imagine Xi Jinping saying, ‘Look, I perfectly well understand Greenland's close to the United States. Taiwan's close to us. Trump won't rule out the use of force on Greenland. Exactly our position. We won't rule it out on Taiwan.’”

Bolton said Putin, who directed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nearly three years ago, could point to Trump's rhetoric as justifying his actions.

“Or Vladimir Putin could say, 'Look, I certainly understand that. Ukraine is critical to our national security. We are using force. And, you know, frankly, if the United States invaded Greenland — which, by the way, has U.S. troops stationed there today — I, Vladimir Putin, wouldn't oppose that.’”

“It shows Trump, again, not understanding the broader context that his remarks are made in, and the harmful consequences that this is having all across NATO right now,” Bolton said.

Trump was questioned during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday about his recent targeting of the Panama Canal as well as Greenland for possible American expansion, and he was asked whether he would rule out using the military in those efforts.

“I’m not going to commit to that. It might be that you have to do something,” Trump said.

Bolton said he thinks “it’s not irrational” to pursue a closer relationship with Greenland, but he suggested that Trump’s approach is not strategically sound, as it is pushing leaders of Greenland and Denmark, which controls the autonomous island, into a corner.

"It makes it harder for them to consider alternative solutions. So it's a real lack of situational awareness," he said.

“There are a lot of ways to go about it. I would like to see something pretty expansive. I think Greenland is part of the North American land mass,” Bolton added later. “And I think it's not irrational to say that a closer political relationship with the United States makes sense.”

Bolton even noted that the U.S. has previously occupied the island. Before Pearl Harbor, when Denmark had fallen to the Nazis, the local government of Greenland, “fearful of being taken over by Canada or Norway, invited the United States in,” Bolton said.

“After Donald Trump's remarks,” he continued, “I think it's very unlikely the current local government of Greenland would do that.”

Topics

How Trump’s Greenland Plan Could Hit Ozempic, Legos and Hearing Aids

Putting tariffs on Denmark unless it cedes the island of Greenland could hurt access to a few key products, including popular medicines.
The New York Times - 5h
Here’s how Trump could impose tariffs on Denmark in a bid to control Greenland

President-elect Donald Trump Tuesday threatened to place new tariffs on imports from Denmark unless the country gives up control of Greenland, news that dented the stocks of some of Denmark’s most ...
MarketWatch - 6h
Why Trump's pursuit of Greenland could be cheered on by Russia

President-elect Donald Trump's ongoing pursuit of Greenland may have raised the hackles of Denmark, but his territorial ambitions might find support in Russia.
CNBC - 17h
Trump suggests he could use military force to acquire Panama Canal and Greenland

President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday suggested he would consider using military force to gain control of the Panama Canal and Greenland, and "economic force" to acquire Canada.
NBC News - 1d
Putin plus Trump spell trouble for European security

German rearmament is crucial to shoring up Europe’s defences
Financial Times - 2d
John Bolton: For Donald Trump, the Only Loyalty Is Fealty

Neither kings nor presidents, nor their countries, are well served if they are surrounded by sycophants and rent-seekers.
The New York Times - 4d
Xi has a plan for retaliating against Trump’s gamesmanship

China is marshalling its forces for long-term competition against an America that it believes is divided and in decline
Financial Times - 4d
Ukraine's Zelensky says Trump 'capable of stopping Putin'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview that President-elect Trump is "capable of stopping" Russian President Vladimir Putin and that he will be a key factor in the outcome of ...
The Hill - 6d
Nicola Jennings on Putin, Trump and Musk’s impact on world politics this year – cartoon

Continue reading...
The Guardian - Jan. 1