International law applies to all, German finance minister says

German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said international law applies to everyone, including the United States, and that Greenland's future is for Denmark and Greenland to decide. He spoke ahead of a G7 finance ministers' meeting that will focus on access to critical minerals.

Lars Klingbeil, Germany's finance minister and vice chancellor, said on Sunday that the principles of international law apply to everyone, including the United States. He made the remarks in reference to reported comments by President Donald Trump about Greenland. Klingbeil said it is solely up to Denmark and Greenland to decide Greenland's future and that territorial sovereignty and integrity must be respected. He spoke ahead of his departure to Washington for a Group of Seven finance ministers' meeting. Key points: - Klingbeil said international law applies to everyone, including the United States. - He said it is solely up to Denmark and Greenland to decide Greenland's future and that territorial sovereignty and integrity must be respected. - The article said a U.S. military seizure of Greenland would send shockwaves through NATO and deepen the divide between Trump and European leaders. - Klingbeil said G7 finance ministers will focus on access to critical minerals to reduce dependence on China. - According to the International Energy Agency, China refines between 47% and 87% of materials such as copper, lithium, cobalt, graphite and rare earths. Summary: Klingbeil's remarks underlined respect for territorial sovereignty and the equal application of international law in the context of reported U.S. comments about Greenland. The immediate next step is the G7 finance ministers' meeting in Washington, which will prioritise access to critical minerals; further diplomatic developments were undetermined at this time.