Iran shot down US Apache helicopter over Hormuz, says Trump; warns of retaliation
According to Trump, there were two pilots involved and both were safely rescued unharmed.
US President Donald Trump has said that international law does not restrict his actions, asserting that his own judgement is the only real limit on his power.
In an interview with The New York Times, Trump spoke at length about NATO, Greenland, and China’s posture towards Taiwan, framing global politics around authority, control, and what he described as “ownership”.
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When asked whether there were any boundaries to his global power, Trump replied that restraint came from within.
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“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,” he said, adding, “I’m not looking to hurt people.”
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Trump says international law applies only when he decides
Pressed on whether his administration must follow international law, Trump said it does, but only on his terms.
“I do,” he told the newspaper, before adding, “It depends what your definition of international law is.”
The interview made clear that Trump sees himself as the final authority on when such rules apply to the United States.
On China and Taiwan, Trump predicts restraint during his presidency
Trump also addressed tensions between China and Taiwan, saying he believes Chinese President Xi Jinping would avoid military action while he remains in office.
Asked about Beijing’s view of Taiwan as a separatist threat, Trump said he had warned Xi against any escalation.
“That’s up to him, what he’s going to be doing. But, you know, I’ve expressed to him that I would be very unhappy if he did that, and I don’t think he’ll do that. I hope he doesn’t.”
“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.”
NATO, Europe and the Greenland question
On Europe and NATO, Trump said: “I think we’ll always get along with Europe, but I want them to shape up. I’m the one that got them to spend more on the, you know, more GDP on NATO. But if you look at NATO, Russia, I can tell you is not at all concerned with any other country but us. I’ve been very loyal to Europe. I’ve done a good job. If it weren’t for me, Russia would have all of Ukraine right now.”
When asked to choose between preserving NATO or acquiring Greenland, Trump avoided a direct answer but acknowledged the dilemma.
“It may be a choice,” he said, before stressing, “Ownership is very important.”
Explaining why he wanted Greenland under US control, Trump argued that ownership carries advantages beyond treaties or leases.
“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 Vice President urges Europe to take Greenland warnings seriously
Earlier on Thursday, US Vice President JD Vance echoed the administration’s stance, warning European leaders to take Trump’s comments on Greenland seriously.
Vance said “hostile adversaries” were showing interest in the region and described it as critical for American and global missile defence.
He added that Europe must shoulder more responsibility for its own security, or the United States would be forced to “do something about it”.
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