Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) dismissed European concerns over President Trump’s desire for Greenland Friday, insisting that America’s transatlantic allies need to relax.
“If you’re nervous, have a beer, go see a doctor … stop being nervous,” Graham told Politico’s Jonathan Martin during a panel at the Munich Security Conference in Germany.
“Here’s what I tell my European friend,” the South Carolina Republican said moments later. “Greenland is behind us, but the goal is to get outcomes.
“Who gives a s–t who owns Greenland? I don’t.”
Trump’s vow to take over semi-autonomous Danish territory, and subsequent threat to punish European allies with steep tariffs if they resist, unnerved world leaders across the Atlantic.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned last month that Trump’s annexation threats would be the end of “everything,” including the NATO alliance.
French President Emmanuel Macron described the “Greenland moment” this week as evidence the Trump administration is “openly anti-European” and seeking the European Union’s “dismemberment.”
Macron said Europe is facing a “double crisis” with “the Chinese tsunami on the trade front” and “minute-by-minute instability on the American side.”
Trump backed off the tariff threat after agreeing to a “framework of a future deal” for Greenland with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Davos, Switzerland, last month.
Details of the deal have yet to be announced, but Graham argued the strategically important Arctic island will end up more secure.
“The point is, Greenland is going to be more fortified because Donald Trump – once he feels like it’s his brand or he has some buy-in – is going to go big,” the senator said
Graham insisted that “everybody loves NATO” and countered criticism that Trump has weakened the alliance by noting European allies have upped defense spending since he took office.
When asked specifically about US relations with Denmark, Graham responded, “I think we’re good.”
“I’m going to meet them this afternoon. I think everybody is hugging it out and, you know, we’ll live to fight another day.”
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