Ted Cruz says acquiring Greenland is ‘overwhelmingly’ in US interests

HUNT VALLEY, Md. (TNND) — Senator Ted Cruz said Sunday that acquiring Greenland is “overwhelmingly” in the U.S.’s interests.

The territory, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, has a “massive” amount of rare elements and “enormous” economic benefits for the U.S., Cruz explained in a Fox News interview.

“I believe it is overwhelmingly in America’s national interest to acquire Greenland,” he said.

The senator is one of the few who have supported President Donald Trump’s push to take possession of the territory, which is home to minerals that are essential for various technologies. Aside from some Republican chatter about purchasing it, very few lawmakers have approved of Trump’s efforts to acquire Greenland by whatever means necessary.

A group of Democrats and Republicans tried to reassure Danish and Greenlandic leaders of their opposition to Trump’s actions in a visit to Copenhagen on Friday. Delaware Democratic Senator Chris Coons, who led the delegation, said after the meeting that the lawmakers had a “robust” discussion about how to continue the U.S.-Danish alliance. They also talked about the importance of N.A.T.O., which both countries are a part of, Coons noted.

“We spoke with clarity about the importance that the people of Greenland make their decisions about their future,” the senator said.

“So, it was a constructive and hopeful dialogue, and we look forward to continuing.”

Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has rejected Trump’s push for the territory. He said last week that its residents would rather be a part of Denmark than the U.S.

“We choose the Greenland we know today, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark,” Nielsen said, according to a Reuters translation. “Now we are faced with a geopolitical crisis, and if we have to choose between the U.S.A. and Denmark here and now, we choose Denmark, we choose NATO, we choose the Kingdom of Denmark, we choose the E.U.”

Trump has warned that Greenland’s reluctance to join the U.S. will be an issue for Nielsen. The president said in a social media post on Monday that the territory is crucial for American national security and world safety, adding that “there can be no going back.”

“The United States of America is the most powerful Country anywhere on the Globe, by far. Much of the reason for this is a rebuilding of our Military during my First Term, which rebuilding continues at even more expedited pace,” Trump claimed. “We are the only POWER that can ensure PEACE throughout the World – And it is done, quite simply, through STRENGTH!”

Have questions, concerns or tips? Send them to Ray at rjlewis@sbgtv.com.