German Chancellor Olaf Scholz sent a warning to President-elect Trump over border rules as he continues his threat of taking over Greenland.
Scholz said Wednesday that he spoke with several European leaders and the president of the European Council. During that discussion, the chancellor noted that a “certain incomprehension” was shared regarding “current comments from the U.S.,” The Associated Press reported.
He did not call out Trump by name, however, per the AP.
His remarks to the press come as the president-elect has been openly vocal about acquiring Greenland, which is a territory of Denmark. Trump also refused to commit to not using U.S. military to regain control of the Panama Canal.
Scholz said it was a longstanding principle that “borders must not be moved by force.”
“The principle of the inviolability of borders applies to every country, regardless of whether it lies to the east of us or the west, and every state must keep to it, regardless of whether it is a small country or a very powerful state,” he said.
Scholz added that respecting borders is a “fundamental principle of international law” and part of Western values.
As Trump prepares to take office for his second term, the international world is bracing for what may come.
During his first term, the president-elect considered pulling the U.S. out of NATO, the key alliance. Last year at a campaign rally, he said he would encourage Russia to do “whatever the hell they want” to alliance members that didn’t pay defense spending.
Scholz emphasized the importance of the international group, calling it a “central pillar of the transatlantic relationship.”
The AP noted that Germany was a target of Trump’s during his first term for not meeting spending targets. He said Tuesday that NATO should increase spending to at least 5 percent of their GDPs.
His comments come ahead of Germany’s elections next month. The German chancellor and key Trump ally Elon Musk have been feuding over the latter’s perceived effort to influence the outcome of the contest.
Scholz also emphasized the importance of countries standing together and acting in unity.
Despite Trump’s proposal, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the expansion is “Not going to happen.” The president-elect has also in recent days pushed for the U.S. and Canada to merge.
The Associated Press contributed.
