In a nearly two hours interview with The New York Times, US President Donald Trump said the only thing that limits his power on the global stage is his own sense of right and wrong. When asked if there were any checks on his authority as commander in chief, Trump replied that his “own morality” and “own mind” were the only restraints.
The exchange came only hours after Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio withdrew the US from dozens of international organisations created to promote global cooperation. During the interview, Trump gloated about his ‘major wins,’ including a strike on Iran’s nuclear program, the toppling of Venezuela’s government, and his continued efforts to bring Greenland under US control.
Trump says only his ‘own morality’ limits his power
When pressed about the global organisations, Trump brushed aside the idea that international law plays a meaningful role in limiting his actions. “I don’t need international law,” Trump said, adding that he is “not looking to hurt people.” When asked whether the US must still follow international rules, he said it depends on how those laws are defined.
He suggested that past American presidents were too cautious and failed to use US power to its max, whether for political advantage or national gain.
Trump told The New York Times that he uses unpredictability and the threat of military force to pressure other countries. During the interview, he took a long phone call from Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who appeared worried after Trump made repeated threats suggesting Colombia could face an attack similar to the recent one on Venezuela.
Just before the call, Petro told The New York Times that the threat felt real. “We are in danger,” he said. When asked whether securing Greenland mattered more to him than preserving NATO, Trump avoided a direct answer but admitted it “may be a choice.” He also suggested that NATO is largely ineffective without the United States at its center.
When asked why he wants US to control Greenland, Trump said, “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.”
US confident amid global risks
Trump appeared unconcerned about the expiration of the last major nuclear arms control agreement with Russia, or whether China or Russia might take advantage of US actions in Venezuela. On Maduro’s Venezuela, he said the threat was real and different from what China faces with Taiwan or Russia with Ukraine.
He seemed confident that China would not act against Taiwan while he is president. “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 told NYT.
US talks about paying Greenlanders to break away from Denmark
US officials are reportedly considering giving direct cash payments to people living in Greenland to encourage them to leave Denmark and possibly join the United States. Four people familiar with the discussions told Reuters that the talks are still private and no final plan exists yet. However, the idea has been seriously discussed inside the White House, and the Trump administration is prepared to shell out a massive amount of money for Greenland’s population of around 56,000 to 57,000 people.
According to Reuters, citing two sources, US officials have talked about paying anywhere between $10,000 and $100,000 to each person in Greenland. The island has around 57,000 residents, which means the total cost could go up to nearly $6 billion if the higher amount is approved. No one is sure yet how the money would be paid, when it would happen, or what exactly Greenlanders would have to agree to in return.
One official said the idea of paying Greenlanders is not new, but the amounts being discussed have gone up, with $100,000 per person now seen as a real option.
While US officials say they prefer a peaceful solution, they have not ruled out military action. The White House has said intervention is possible, though buying the island or reaching a diplomatic agreement is still the preferred path.
Greenland is a self-governing territory of Denmark, but the US sees it as extremely important for national security. President Donald Trump has repeatedly said the island plays an important part in missile defence, not just for the US but for global security as well. Greenland is also rich in minerals that are used in advanced military technology. Trump has argued that Denmark does not have the resources to protect or develop the island properly. “We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security,” Trump said while speaking to reporters on Air Force One. “It’s so strategic.”
A free association deal
Another idea being discussed is a Compact of Free Association, or COFA. These agreements already exist between the US and small island nations like Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau.
Under such deals, the US provides key services such as defence and mail delivery. In return, the US military can operate freely in those countries, and trade with the US is mostly tax-free.
For Greenland, this would likely require full independence from Denmark first. US payments could be used to encourage Greenlanders to vote for independence or later agree to a COFA deal.
‘Greenland is not for sale’
Leaders in Denmark and across Europe are completely opposed to the idea. Greenland’s Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, made his frustration clear in a Facebook post after Trump again spoke about acquiring the island. “Enough is enough,” he wrote. “No more fantasies about annexation.”
On Tuesday, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Britain and Denmark released a joint statement saying that only Greenland and Denmark can decide their future.
When Reuters asked the White House about the payment idea, officials spoke about the recent comments from press secretary Karoline Leavitt and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Leavitt confirmed that Trump and his national security team are “looking at what a potential purchase would look like.” Rubio said he plans to meet Denmark’s foreign minister next week in Washington to discuss Greenland. Sources said discussions about Greenland have been happening since before Trump returned to office, but things have picked up speed in recent days.
One reason, according to insiders, is the administration’s recent operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. That mission has given a major boost of confidence inside the White House.