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President Donald Trump included a message to the people of Greenland during his speech to a Joint Session of Congress on Tuesday, inviting them to become part of America.
Trump’s encouraging words came after he spoke positively about the work of his Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“And I also have a message tonight for the incredible people of Greenland. We strongly support your right to determine your own future, and if you choose, we welcome you into the United States of America,” Trump began.
“We need Greenland for national security and even international security. And we’re working with everybody involved to try and get it. But we need it really for international world security. And I think we’re going to get it. One way or the other, we’re going to get it,” Trump continued.
The president also emphasized America’s ability to protect Greenlanders and offer significant financial benefits.
“We will keep you safe. We will make you rich. And together we will take Greenland to heights like you have never thought possible before,” Trump stated. “It’s a very small population, but very, very large piece of land and very, very important for military security.”
Trump has pitched the idea of the U.S. acquiring Greenland since his first term in office. Since starting his second term, his focus on the world’s largest island has increased, including his son Donald Trump Jr. visiting the nation.
In January, 73 percent of Republicans polled supported U.S. control of the Panama Canal, with 51 percent strongly supporting the action.
Concerning Greenland, 70 percent of GOP respondents agreed, including 45 percent who strongly support the change.
In contrast, only 23 percent of Democrats supported taking over Greenland, with just 22 percent supporting control of the Panama Canal.
Overall, 40 percent backed the purchase of Greenland, with 43 percent supporting U.S. control of the Panama Canal.
Trump previously referred to taking ownership of Greenland as a necessity, stating, “[F]or purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity.”