Donald Trump has said he does not believe international law meaningfully constrains his power as president, claiming his authority is limited only by his “own morality”.
In an interview with the New York Times, the US president said: “The only thing that can stop me is my own morality, my own mind,” adding: “I’m not looking to hurt people.”
Pressed on whether his administration must adhere to international law, Trump replied: “I do,” before qualifying the remark by saying: “It depends on what your definition of international law is.”
The comments come as the Trump administration examines “a range of options” to gain control of Greenland, a move that has alarmed European allies. Trump argued that outright ownership, rather than agreements or treaties, was essential.
“Ownership is very important,” he said. “Because that’s what I feel is psychologically needed for success. Ownership gives you things and elements that you can’t get from just signing a document.”
Trump also dismissed warnings that the US decision to oust Nicolás Maduro as Venezuela’s president could set a precedent for other global powers, such as China attempting to seize Taiwan or Russia seeking greater control over Ukraine.
Defending US attacks on Venezuela, Trump repeated his claim that Maduro had sent gang members into the United States, describing it as a serious security threat.
“This was a real threat,” he said, adding that similar movements of criminals were not taking place into countries such as China or Russia. He also claimed that Taiwan had not experienced prisons being emptied in the way he alleged had happened in Venezuela.
On China, Trump said he did not believe President Xi Jinping would move to take control of Taiwan during his presidency. “That’s up to him,” Trump said. “But I’ve expressed to him that I would be very unhappy if he did that and I don’t think he’ll do it.”
He added: “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 also appeared unconcerned about the impending expiry of the last remaining arms control treaty between the United States and Russia, which is due to lapse next month.
“If it expires, it expires,” he said. “We’ll just do a better agreement.” He added that any future deal should include China, arguing that “a couple of other players” should be involved.
The interview comes amid growing domestic tensions in the US following the fatal shooting of a woman by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Minneapolis, which has sparked protests. It also coincides with strained relations between Washington and European allies over the possibility of a US takeover of Greenland.
