Canada’s ambassador to France, Stéphane Dion, said Monday that he disapproved of US President Donald Trump’s interest in annexing Greenland, citing international law.

Dion stated in a press conference in Paris that international law prohibits threats of invasion. He argued that such action contravenes the charter of the UN. Dion declined to answer whether the UN should investigate the US. Dion, when asked about what measures Canada was taking in response to Trump’s annexation statements, said, after conferring with Denmark and Norway, that “Canada is responsible for 25 percent of the Arctic.”

Article 2, section 4 of the UN Charter states: “All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.”

Trump wrote on his social media platform that US annexation of Greenland “is an absolute necessity,” claiming that such actions would be taken for “National Security and Freedom throughout the World.” Trump stated he could not rule out using military or economic force to seize Greenland, and that his interest in Greenland stems from “economic security.”

In response to Trump’s threats, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stressed the importance of the principle of inviolability of borders under international law, stating that its application is universal and thus includes powerful states such as the US. Similarly, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot warned the US against such actions, claiming that the EU will promptly take action if other countries “attack its sovereign borders”.

A Danish official responded to Trump’s statements about Greenland, saying “Greenland has been a part of the Danish kingdom for 800 years, it is not for sale…” Trump’s interest in annexing Greenland follows his formally renaming the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America on Sunday.