Secretary of State Marco Rubio detailed what President Donald Trump sees in Greenland in his bid to purchase the territory, specifically how it would give the United States an advantage over China in shipping wars.
Rubio explained how the Arctic region is going to become “critical” to shipping in the future due to how the area’s ice is melting and becoming easier to navigate and that the U.S. needs to be able to defend this shipping area. He added that it is merely “a matter of time” before China takes its own action on Greenland, noting that China is not “an Arctic power” and will need its own place to stage itself with the Arctic area.
THE UNITED STATES SHOULD RESTORE NEUTRALITY TO THE PANAMA CANAL
“And it is completely realistic to believe that the Chinese will eventually, maybe in the short term, try and do in Greenland what they have done at the Panama Canal and in other places, and that is install facilities that give them access to the Arctic with the cover of a Chinese company,” Rubio explained on The Megyn Kelly Show. “But that, in reality, just serves a dual purpose, that in a moment of conflict, they could send naval vessels to that facility and operate from there, and that is completely unacceptable to the national security of the world and the national security of the United States.”
When asked by journalist Megyn Kelly if Denmark could stop China in this scenario, Rubio cited how Denmark “can’t stop them” and would instead rely on the U.S., adding that the U.S. has a defense agreement to protect Greenland should it ever come under assault. Because of this, Rubio explained that Trump believes it should have “more control over what happens there.”
Rubio also addressed Trump’s bid to retake the Panama Canal, another area the administration aims to properly compete with China. The concern about China’s involvement with the canal comes from China’s investment in it, including two port facilities on both sides of the canal which could allow China to potentially shut down the canal. Rubio also explained how any business based in China is controlled by the country.
“That is a direct threat, so it’s a technicality, but in reality, if China wanted to obstruct traffic in the Panama Canal, they could,” Rubio said. “That’s a fact, and it’s my view that’s a violation of the treaty agreement, and that’s what President Trump is raising. And we’re going to address that topic; it’s one of deep concern. That dynamic cannot continue.”
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Rubio was the first of Trump’s Cabinet nominees to be confirmed by the Senate last week, with others following who include Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. This week saw Kash Patel, Trump’s nominee for FBI director, Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s nominee for director of national intelligence, and Robert Kennedy Jr., Trump’s pick for health and human services secretary, all testify in Senate confirmation hearings regarding their positions in the Trump administration.
Amid Trump’s bid to acquire Greenland, Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) also stressed the need to properly compete with China and “send them back to their own hemisphere.” He added that Trump publicly expressing interest in Greenland is “broadcasting” that “America is great again.”
