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00:00First this hour, the U.S. military operation in Venezuela has rekindled concerns that Greenland might face a similar scenario.
00:07European leaders are rallying behind the territory, saying the Arctic island belongs to its people, following renewed threats by Donald Trump.
00:15A short time ago, the White House said that acquiring Greenland was a national security priority.
00:21Well, for more, let's bring in our Washington correspondent, Fraser Jackson.
00:24Fraser, what exactly has the White House been saying here about Greenland and how do you think European and NATO leaders are likely to react?
00:39Statement to the Reuters news agency, speaking to a senior official as well.
00:43They say that Trump and his team are discussing a range of options for acquiring Greenland and, quote, utilising the U.S. military is always an option.
00:52Now, a senior U.S. official says that Trump and his advisers are discussing options, including purchasing the territory from Denmark or forming what's called a compact free association with the islands.
01:04Now, the U.S. currently has three such treaties.
01:07All of them are with Pacific Island nations, including Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau.
01:12That effectively establishes those islands as independent countries, whilst also granting their citizens unique U.S. residency and work rights, as well as U.S. defense and economic aid in exchange for a strategic security access that the island would give them.
01:28So Trump is looking now to acquiring Greenland during this current term, according to this U.S. official.
01:35The same official saying that the issue of U.S. acquisition of Greenland is, quote, not going away and that Trump is eager for a deal, despite the objections from NATO leaders.
01:45Then we got this statement from Caroline Levitt, the White House press secretary, which we can bring up for you now.
01:50She says,
01:50The president and his team are discussing a range of options to pursue this important foreign policy goal.
02:05And of course, utilizing the U.S. military is always an option at the commander in chief's disposal.
02:09This then coming after an interview with Stephen Miller just 24 hours ago, where he questioned why Denmark controls Greenland at all and dodged whether the U.S.
02:17would use military force to take Greenland, saying no one was going to fight the U.S.
02:21militarily over the future of the of the territory.
02:25So this then one of the great thorns in the sides of U.S.-European relations.
02:30Many sources aware how sensitive the situation is and preferring not to comment on it.
02:35But Greenland's government on Tuesday requested an urgent meeting with U.S.
02:38Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss his country's, quote, significant statements about the Arctic Islands.
02:45And finally, eight European leaders on Tuesday sending an open letter from from all of those leaders saying that Greenland belongs to its people.
02:53It's for Denmark and Greenland and them only to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland.
02:59Fraser Jackson, for now, thank you.
03:01Fraser Jackson, for now, thank you.
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