 "German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. REUTERS/File Photo")
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz warned US President-elect Donald Trump against his ambition to take over Greenland and the Panama Canal. Scholz insisted that every country must honour the sanctity of borders no matter how powerful or where they are. The warning from Germany came after France also raised concerns over the matter.
“The principle of the inviolability of borders applies to every country, regardless of whether it’s to the east or the west of us,” Scholz said on Wednesday after speaking with several European leaders and the president of the European Council. “Every state must abide by it, regardless of whether it is a small country or a very powerful state. It is a grounding principle of international law and a key component of what we call Western values,” he added.
The German chancellor did not mention Trump by his name but noted that he and other leaders discussed “a certain level of incomprehension” that came from the statements made by the United States. Interestingly, the remarks from Germany came less than a century before it attempted to invade the whole of Europe and incited World War II.
The world watches closely as Trump keeps an eye on Greenland
Trump, who has previously teased about buying Greenland, hinted this week that Washington would be open to using military force to take over the region. Greenland is an autonomous island country and territory of Denmark. Both the Danish prime minister and Greenlandic premier have said the region is “not for sale”.
Calling it a national security matter, Trump said that he believes taking over Greenland would benefit all people. On Wednesday, Scholz told reporters that borders “must not be moved by force” and emphasized the importance of uniting as allies – especially the United States – to protect Ukraine’s right to its borders.
“We do so to protect the sovereignty and integrity of Ukraine but also the principle of inviolability of borders. This principle stands and it is a foundation of our peace order,” he said. As the debate rages on, French foreign minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, said that Europe would stand up in defence of international law.
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More Shorts“There is no question of the EU letting other nations in the world, whoever they may be, attack its sovereign borders," he said. Barrot added on France Inter radio, that, while he did not believe the US “would invade” Greenland, “we have entered an era that is seeing the return of the law of the strongest." Hence, the world will be watching Trump’s next move closely as he gears up to assume the Oval Office.