Trump Sends Defiant Message Amid Aggressive Foreign Policy

Donald Trump has sent a clear message of defiance to his critics after acting on his highly aggressive foreign policy over the last week.

The US stunned international leaders on Saturday when it launched military strikes against Venezuela and kidnapped its president, Nicolas Maduro.

Trump has also issued threats against Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Iran and the Danish territory of Greenland in recent days as he looks to extend America’s sphere of influence.

While European allies have stopped short of accusing the US of breaching international law with its actions in Venezuela, they have established a clear red line over Greenland – but that does not seem to have resonated with Trump.

In a long-form interview with the New York Times released on Thursday, the US president was asked if anything would constrain his use of military might.

He said: “Yeah, there is one thing. My own morality. My own mind. It’s the only thing that can stop me.

“I don’t need international law. I’m not looking to hurt people.”

Keir Starmer and his European counterparts signed a written statement clarifying they believe Greenland’s future can only be decided by Greenland and Denmark.

The UK prime minister has raised the issue in a private phone call with the president, too.

Seizing the Arctic island would not only undermine European sovereignty but could put Nato at risk seeing as both Denmark and the US are in the defence alliance.

But when asked which was higher priority, Nato or Greenland, Trump declined to say, before admitting: “It may be a choice.”

He also insisted that the 1951 treaty which allows the US to reopen old military bases on Greenland was not enough to satisfy his need for access on the Arctic island.

He said: “Ownership is very important. Because that’s what I feel is psychologically needed for success. I think that ownership gives you a thing that you can’t do with, you’re talking about a lease or a treaty. Ownership gives you things and elements that you can’t get from just signing a document.”

Greenland would be a strategic asset to the White House because of its position between the US and Europe. It’s also mineral-rich, meaning it could offer an economic boost, too.

Trump did tell the reporters that his administration needs to abide by international law – but insisted he would the arbiter when it came to how it applied to the US.

He said: “It depends what your definition of international law is.”

Pressed over the geopolitical consequences of his actions in Venezuela – such as encouraging China to seize Taiwan – he suggested President Xi Jinping would not dare.

“He may do it after we have a different president, but I don’t think he’s going to do it with me as president,” Trump said.