Investigating claim Trump wants to trade Puerto Rico for Greenland
President Trump has repeatedly considered annexing Greenland for national security reasons. A Trump appointee suggested that taking over the island could restore all-you-can-eat shrimp at Red Lobster. EU officials have called planned tariffs related to Greenland a mistake.
What changed
New reports highlight a Trump official's comments regarding Red Lobster and EU opposition to related tariffs.
Live updates
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Trump administration officials link Greenland acquisition to seafood and security
confidence 80%President Trump has repeatedly considered annexing Greenland for national security reasons. A Trump appointee suggested that taking over the island could restore all-you-can-eat shrimp at Red Lobster. EU officials have called planned tariffs related to Greenland a mistake.
What's confirmed:
- President Donald Trump has repeatedly mused about annexing Greenland for national security reasons.
- A Trump-appointed official suggested to The New Yorker that a U.S. takeover of Greenland could bring back the all-you-can-eat shrimp offer at Red Lobster.
- The European Union's top official called Trump's planned new tariffs over Greenland a mistake.
Still unconfirmed:
- Trump is preparing a 99-year lease proposal for Greenland.
- Trump intends to trade Puerto Rico for Greenland.
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Trump Denies Claims of Puerto Rico and Greenland Swap
confidence 80%Donald Trump has dismissed allegations that he proposed trading Puerto Rico to acquire Greenland. He described the claims as inventions by a former employee. Separately, Trump announced a framework for a future deal on Greenland with the NATO secretary general.
What's confirmed:
- Donald Trump announced on Jan. 21 that he reached a "framework of a future deal" on Greenland with the secretary general of NATO.
- Trump stated the United States needed to acquire Greenland for national security reasons.
Still unconfirmed:
- Donald Trump called the person making the swap claims a "former disgruntled employee" and a "real stiff" on Twitter.
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Investigation into Trump's Proposed Puerto Rico and Greenland Trade
confidence 50%Reports suggest Donald Trump considered trading Puerto Rico to acquire Greenland. A book by Peter Baker and Susan Glasser claims Trump asked staff if the U.S. could divest itself of the island. The idea has drawn criticism and sparked investigations into the feasibility of such a swap.
Still unconfirmed:
- President Trump asked staff if the United States could divest itself of Puerto Rico.
- Trump wanted to trade Puerto Rico for Greenland.
- Trump-linked figures are set to profit from mineral resources in Greenland.