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Trump says UK's decision to hand over sovereignty to Chagos Islands is act of 'great stupidity'
The US president, Donald Trump, has suggested Britain’s decision to cede the Chagos Islands to Mauritius is among the reasons he wants to take over Greenland.
In a Truth Social post, he said the UK’s plan to hand over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius is an “an act of GREAT STUPIDITY”. He said:
Shockingly, our “brilliant” NATO Ally, the United Kingdom, is currently planning to give away the Island of Diego Garcia, the site of a vital U.S. Military Base, to Mauritius, and to do so FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER.
There is no doubt that China and Russia have noticed this act of total weakness. These are International Powers who only recognize STRENGTH, which is why the United States of America, under my leadership, is now, after only one year, respected like never before.
The UK giving away extremely important land is an act of GREAT STUPIDITY, and is another in a very long line of National Security reasons why Greenland has to be acquired.
Denmark and its European Allies have to DO THE RIGHT THING. Thank you for your attention to this matter. PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP.
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The text message from Emmanuel Macron that Donald Trump shared on his Truth Social platform as a screenshot was authentic, a source close to the French president said on Tuesday morning.
“It demonstrates that the French president defends the same line in public as in private,” the source said, quoted by Reuters.
Macron told Trump that he could set up a meeting after Davos in Paris on Thursday afternoon, the message showed.
Trump’s reply, if any, was not part of the screenshot.
Trump says 'no going back' on Greenland
Donald Trump has said he had a “very good” telephone call with Nato secretary general Mark Rutte concerning Greenland.
The US president also said he had agreed to a meeting of various parties in Davos at the World Economic Forum (WEF), while not specifying who the parties were, Reuters reports.
“As I expressed to everyone, very plainly, Greenland is imperative for National and World Security,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Tuesday.
There can be no going back - On that, everyone agrees!
Trump had earlier told reporters the US would talk about acquiring Greenland at the WEF because Denmark could not protect the territory.
Opening summary
Welcome to our European live coverage.
In the build-up to Donald Trump’s expected appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday, the US president has reiterated his threats to take Greenland, suggesting Europe wouldn’t “push back too much”.
He also threatened 200% tariffs on French wine and champagne to get Emmanuel Macron to join his Gaza “board of peace”.
Trump is expected to meet global business leaders in Davos on Wednesday, Reuters has reported, as his presence looms large over the annual gathering of the global elite in the Swiss resort.
Business leaders – including CEOs in financial services, crypto and consulting – were invited to a reception after Trump’s special address to the forum, the news agency said, citing sources.
In key developments:
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Trump said of European leaders over his attempt to buy Greenland: “I don’t think they’re gonna push back too much. We have to have it. They have to have this done.”
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Trump, who is expected to arrive in Davos on Wednesday, has posted an image on his Truth Social platform of what he says is a “note from President Emmanuel Macon” in which it appears Macron says: “I do not understand what you are doing on Greenland.” Macron also says “let us try to build great things” and that he can set up a G7 meeting in Paris on Thursday, also proposing a dinner with Trump that day.
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China is being represented in Davos by vice-premier He Lifeng, who is due to deliver an address on Tuesday.
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Tuesday’s program at the World Economic Forum also includes addresses from Macron, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Canadian prime minister Mark Carney.
