Trump: "May Have to Choose Between Acquiring Greenland and Maintaining NATO"

Revealed in January 8 NYT Interview
"Only My Morality Can Stop Me"
Decision on Fed Successor... Name Not Disclosed

Donald Trump, President of the United States. Photo by UPI Yonhap News

President Donald Trump of the United States stated that the acquisition of Greenland and the maintenance of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) could be matters of choice. This is interpreted as increasing pressure on Europe by even leaving open the possibility of maintaining NATO, which is the foundation of the Atlantic alliance.

Increasing Pressure Regarding Greenland Acquisition

In an interview with The New York Times (NYT) released on January 8 (local time), President Trump was asked which is more important: acquiring Greenland or maintaining NATO. While he did not give a direct answer, he said, "It could be a matter of choice." He also made it clear that the Atlantic alliance is essentially meaningless without the United States at its center.

When asked why the United States should "own" Greenland, President Trump responded, "Ownership is very important. It is psychologically necessary for success," adding that having ownership provides something that cannot be achieved through leasing or treaties.

President Trump emphasized that NATO member states have pledged to spend 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP) on defense, saying, "I hope they do it right. I always think we will get along well with Europe, but I want them to do it right." He continued, "I have been very loyal to Europe and have done a good job. If it weren't for me, Russia would have taken all of Ukraine by now."

When asked whether there are any limits to the authority he can exercise on international issues, President Trump replied, "Yes, there is one thing: my morality, my thinking. That is the only thing that can stop me." He added, "I don't need international law," and "I'm not trying to hurt people." This is seen as an expression of disregard for international law.

When repeatedly asked whether the U.S. administration should comply with international law, President Trump answered, "Yes." However, he made it clear that he is the decision-maker when the United States faces situations that impose restrictions, stating, "It depends on how you define international law." The NYT commented, "From President Trump's perspective, it has become clear that sovereignty and borders are less important than the role the United States plays as the protector of the West."

Decision on Fed Successor... Name Not Disclosed

President Trump said he has decided who will succeed as chair of the Federal Reserve (Fed), the U.S. central bank, but avoided giving specifics. The current chair, Jerome Powell, serves until May. President Trump has persistently pressured Powell to resign and has stated that he will announce a candidate for the next chair in January.

He said, "I've made up my mind. I haven't talked to anyone about it." When asked whether Kevin Hassett, Chairman of the White House National Economic Council (NEC), had been selected, he replied, "I don't want to say," but added, "It's clear that he is one of the people I like."

Meanwhile, the NYT reported that President Trump appeared more confident than ever, noting that a model of a B-2 bomber was placed on his desk in the Oval Office. The B-2 was the bomber deployed by the United States in June last year during an airstrike on Iranian nuclear facilities.

It is also noteworthy that President Trump participated in a roughly two-hour interview with the NYT, which he considers an adversary, discussing a wide range of domestic and international issues following the successful operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. President Trump has frequently mocked the NYT as a "failing media outlet" in response to its critical coverage and filed a $15 billion (21 trillion won) defamation lawsuit in September last year.