Germany issued a stern reminder to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday, emphasizing that borders must not be altered through the use of force. This came after Trump declined to rule out potential military action to claim Greenland, an autonomous territory under Denmark.
Speaking to reporters, German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit underscored the importance of adhering to international agreements such as the UN Charter. “The firm principle applies that borders must not be moved by force,” Hebestreit asserted.
Trump’s comments during a news conference on Tuesday sparked international concern. He floated the idea of military intervention in Greenland and the Panama Canal, reiterating his ambition for U.S. control over both. Additionally, he described the U.S.-Canada border as an “artificially drawn line” and suggested renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.”
When pressed on whether Germany viewed Trump’s remarks as a serious threat to NATO allies like Denmark and Canada, Hebestreit refrained from speculation. “I don’t want to assess the comments,” he said, noting only that the German government had “taken note” of Trump’s statements.
