Democrats block Trump's attempts to «annex» Greenland

Bill introduced in the US to oppose the «annexation» of Greenland by the Trump administration

Democrats in the US House of Representatives have introduced a bill that explicitly prohibits any attempts by the president Donald Trump to buy or seize Greenland without the consent of Congress.

This is reported by the Axios with reference to the text of the initiative and sources in Congress.

Details of the draft law

The document provides for a strict limitation of presidential powers in matters of territorial expansion. In particular, it:

• blocks the use of budget funds for negotiations on the purchase of Greenland;

• prohibits any military or forceful action to establish US jurisdiction over the island;

• requires mandatory congressional approval for any actions related to changing the status of Greenland.

The authors of the draft law emphasise that no president has the right to make decisions alone that could lead to an international crisis or violate the sovereignty of US allies.

Context.

The Democrats« initiative came immediately after Republicans registered their own bill on Monday. It proposes to give the president the authority to »take all necessary measures" to transfer Greenland to US jurisdiction.

The proposal drew sharp criticism from Democrats, international law experts and US allies in Europe. Greenland is an autonomous territory within Denmark, a NATO member and Washington's strategic partner.

Democrats' reaction

The Democratic Party said that the Republican draft actually legitimises the idea of «annexation» and sets a dangerous precedent for international relations.

According to one of the authors of the initiative, Congress must «make it clear that the United States does not trade in allied territories or take them by force».

What's next

Both bills are expected to be the subject of heated debate in Congress. The Greenland issue may turn into another line of political confrontation between Democrats and Republicans amid an election year and rising tensions in US relations with Europe.