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Early Start with Rahel Solomon

Interview with Kuno Fencker, Member of Greenland's Parliament: Trump Expressing Interest in U.S. Annexing Greenland; Court Hears Arguments Over Alien Enemies Act Deportations; Trump: New Tariffs on Autos, Aluminum, Pharmaceuticals. Aired 5:30-6a ET

Aired March 25, 2025 - 05:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[05:30:00]

RAHEL SOLOMON, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back. Despite backlash from Greenland's Prime Minister, President Donald Trump says that an upcoming visit to the island by U.S. officials is meant to be a gesture of quote friendliness, not provocation.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We've been invited and they really like the idea because they have been somewhat abandoned, as you know. They haven't been taken well, good care of. And I think Greenland is going to be something that maybe is in our future.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOLOMON: But not everyone agrees with that sentiment. A Danish member of the European Parliament had this to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERS VISTISEN, DANISH MEMBER OF EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Let me put it in words you might understand. Mr. Trump, f**k off.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOLOMON: All right. If you weren't awake yet, maybe you are now. CNN's Tom Foreman has more now on what Greenlanders are saying about the trip.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Teeth are showing at Greenland's National Dog Sled Race with the prime minister slamming a pending visit to the contest by U.S. government dignitaries as highly aggressive and adding, the only purpose is to demonstrate power over us and fuel American belief in Trump's mission to take over the world's largest island.

TRUMP: This is friendliness, not provocation.

FOREMAN (voice-over): President Trump is racing to defend the trip by Second Lady Usha Vance, a likely visit by National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and possibly a stop there by Secretary of State Marco Rubio too. Vance is soft selling her visit.

USHA VANCE, U.S. SECOND LADY: I'm also coming to celebrate the long history of mutual respect and cooperation between our nations.

DONALD TRUMP JR., PRESIDENT TRUMP'S SON: Here as tourists, seeing it, looks like an incredible place.

FOREMAN (voice-over): But these are not the first visits from Team Trump, which for months has pushed the notion that annexing Greenland is critical to U.S. interest, as America, Russia, and China vie for commercial and military control of Arctic waters.

TRUMP: We need that for international security, not just security, international. We have a lot of our favorite players, you know, cruising around the coast. And we have to be careful.

[05:35:02]

J.D. VANCE, U.S. VICE PRESIDENT: Denmark, which controls Greenland, it's not doing its job and it's not being a good ally.

FOREMAN (voice-over): And the point person on that argument is the second lady's husband, Vice President J.D. Vance.

J. VANCE: If that means that we need to take more territorial interest in Greenland, that is what President Trump is going to do. Because he doesn't care about what the Europeans scream at us. He cares about putting the interest of America's citizens first.

FOREMAN (voice-over): Greenlanders clearly don't like that talk. A January Poll commissioned by Danish and Greenlandic newspapers found 85 percent opposed joining the U.S., and many consider Trump's designs a threat, even after years of cooperation, including hosting a big American military base.

Things have turned upside down now with the current president in the USA, the prime minister says. We must face the seriousness of the situation and acknowledge that every minute counts to ensure that the American's dream of annexing our country does not become a reality.

FOREMAN: And while President Trump insists there's a lot of enthusiasm there for the takeover, Denmark itself, which has overseen this autonomous nation for hundreds of years, says it's not for sale, meaning the dog-sled delegation may be on thin ice even before it arrives.

Tom Forman, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOLOMON: And although President Trump insists that U.S. control of Greenland is crucial to American security, many Americans apparently don't see it that way. A recent poll shows that 70 percent are against the idea, and Greenlanders are apparently not keen on the plan either. As we just heard in Tom Forman's piece there, a staggering 85 percent of them said that they do not want their Arctic island to become part of the U.S.

All right, joining me now live from Greenland's capital city of Nuuk is Kuno Fencker. He is a member of Greenland's parliament and also spokesperson for the Siumut political party. Great to have you this morning, sir. Let me just first ask, what was your first reaction when you heard that Second Lady Usha Vance and a U.S. team would be visiting Greenland this week?

KUNO FENCKER, MEMBER OF GREENLAND'S PARLIAMENT: Well, for me and our party, it is that we will always welcome other nation's leaders. And it's both an honor, a strong signal of respect for the of the Second Lady of the United States to come and visit and also sponsor our cultural heritage for dog sledding championships here in Greenland. So in my view, they are welcome in Greenland.

And if it was up to me, I will welcome them in a very good manner. So I think it's a soft diplomacy. And also, it also shows that Greenland's position in the geopolitical world and that we also want to be a part of the international community is showing up now.

SOLOMON: I take your point that that Greenland wants to continue to be part of the international community. But does Greenland want to be part of the U.S.? I mean, what can you share with us about the sentiment there on the ground as this renewed interest from from President Trump about perhaps the U.S. owning Greenland?

FENCKER: Well, we are already owned by another country who annexed us in 1953, and we don't want to be annexed again. So we are striving to become a sovereign state in Greenland. But of course, we know that it's utopia to think that we can be fully independent.

So we need cooperation. And all those things are written in law in Greenland. And if Greenland wants to become independent or a sovereign, we need to start the negotiations with Denmark. And that is the process. But it's also certainly a process. If Denmark opposes our right to independence, that we are able to negotiate with other countries.

SOLOMON: I want to play for you something that that President Trump said earlier this year in his address to Congress and get your interpretation of it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: We need Greenland for national security and even international security, and we're working with everybody involved to try and get it. But we need it really for international world security. And I think we're going to get it one way or the other. We're going to get it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SOLOMON: Kuno, I hear you say that, you know, it's an honor certainly to have U.S. officials visit and take part in these festivities. But when the American president says one way or the other, we're going to get it. How do you interpret that?

FENCKER: It depends on what he means about one way or the other. We got to get it. That is if you can see you can see that as a negative rhetoric.

[05:40:00]

But I certainly think that the United States, with a big political system, will adhere to international law and that Greenland shouldn't be annexed again by another country. And I really hope that we can cooperate in a peaceful way in regards to the resources, culture and other economical development positions.

But also, of course, in regards to national security of the United States, I fully understand that. And we have to up the ante here at the Kingdom of Denmark in regards to surveilling and protecting Greenland. And if Denmark can't do it, I can understand that the United States has a big interest in the island.

SOLOMON: You know, it's interesting because Trump first floated this idea in his first term. It was 2018. But now that there has been this flurry of activity and these visits now, I mean, how are people there reacting to this renewed interest?

I mean, just from the reporting that I've been able to listen to and some of the sound that I've been able to listen to, it's headline news. I mean, it appears to be something that everybody is talking about.

FENCKER: Yes, exactly. And sometimes the rhetoric haven't been so welcome in Greenland because some journalists have said something about annexing and we're going to get it anyway. And using economic force or military force has been, you know, interpreted in different ways.

So that is unfortunate, in my opinion. And I hope that the U.S., the communication will become more positive and in respect for international law so that, of course, there's also the interest of the Kingdom of Denmark retaining the territory of Greenland. And so that has been a lot of fearmongering in regards to the communication from the U.S. and also the divide and conquer, the divide and rule position of the media from Denmark has been very extreme during the elections, general elections here in Greenland.

SOLOMON: Yes, those most recent elections. Certainly a lot of interest here, all with their own incentives and interests, as you sort of allude to there. Kuno Fencker, we appreciate the time this morning. Thank you.

FENCKER: Thank you.

SOLOMON: Well, still to come, the latest on the court battle over an 18th century wartime law being used to deport Venezuelan migrants from the U.S.

Plus, it wouldn't be March Madness without some heartbreak. Details on the season ending injury for USC star Juju Watkins. We'll be right back.

[05:45:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SOLOMON: Welcome back. 5:46 here, I'm Rahel Solomon. And here are some of the stories we were watching for you this morning.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claims that nobody was texting war plans in a commercial messaging chat group. Now, that's despite the White House already acknowledging that the messages appeared to be authentic. The Atlantic magazine's editor in chief, who was mistakenly included, says that Hegseth revealed plans for a U.S. attack on Houthi rebels in Yemen earlier this month.

The National Guard has been deployed and people have been ordered to evacuate their homes as wildfires spread in North and South Carolina. Large number of fallen trees after Hurricane Helene back in September, adding fuel to the fires which have burned more than 6,000 acres across the Carolinas.

And the head of the U.S. Postal Service, Louis DeJoy, is resigning on Monday. The U.S. -- or he did resign on Monday. The USPS is now four years into a reorganization initiative designed to cut costs. But President Trump is looking for more changes. DeJoy says that the deputy postmaster general will take over until a permanent successor is named.

A federal appeals court in Washington heard heated arguments Monday over the Trump administration's use of an obscure centuries old wartime law that's being used to deport more than 200 Venezuelan migrants. Attorneys for the Justice Department argue that those deported earlier this month were members of a violent gang and required no notice of their removal. One judge zeroed in on that point, noting her belief that the deportees were being treated worse than proven war criminals.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PATRICIA MILLETT, JUDGE, U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE DC CIRCUIT: There were plane loads of people. I mean, it was also it's a class action. There were plane loads of people. There were no procedures in place to notify people. Nazis got better treatment under the Alien Enemy Act.

DOJ: Well, your honor, we certainly dispute the Nazi analogy.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SOLOMON: More now from CNN's Katelyn Polantz.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATELYN POLANTZ, CNN CRIME AND JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: This hearing today on these flights of Venezuelan migrants out of the country, the Justice Department came out swinging. They said immediately this is about the power of the presidency and his use of the Alien Enemies Act to make a decision such as like in times of war. And the way the D.C. Circuit responded was almost immediate questioning. Hold on, really? Is that what we're talking about here?

Judge Patricia Millett of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, she had the first question at these arguments and she said, you know, this isn't about the president giving a order to move a ship in war from one place to another.

[05:50:00]

This is about the rights of individuals and whether they can have the ability to go before a judge and even argue that they are not someone who could even be subject to this act, the alien -- Alien Enemies Act.

People who would be arguing that in this case, potentially that they're not from the gang Tren de Aragua. So this is where the arguments are going. It is continuing on here at the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. A very important test, early test for the Trump administration as they try and preserve all of the abilities that Donald Trump wants to have to handle migration, immigration in the United States and to remove people from the country. The courts currently looking at the role they may play. We're not expecting a decision from the bench during this hearing but listening to what questions these judges are asking is very important.

It is a judge that is an Obama appointee. That's Judge Millett, who was leading the questions at the start of the hearing. But then Judge Justin Walker, a Trump appointee himself, he had some very similar questions just a few minutes in as well.

Back to you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOLOMON: Our Katelyn Polantz, thank you.

President, also targeting Venezuela's economy. Yesterday, he announced a 25 percent secondary tariff on any nation that buys oil or gas from Venezuela. He believes that the country is sending criminals and gangs to infiltrate the U.S. The government of Venezuela called the tariff, quote, arbitrary, illegal and desperate, and says that the strategy will fail.

And the president is still promising dollar for dollar reciprocal tariffs next week. And yesterday, he teased some additional economic measures.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: We'll be announcing some additional tariffs over the next few days having to do with automobiles, cars and having also to do a little bit with lumber down the road, lumber and chips. April 2nd will be a big day. That'll be reciprocal day. And we'll be bringing some of the money back that's been taken from us. Let's be nice by using the word taken. (END VIDEO CLIP)

SOLOMON: More now from CNN's Anna Stewart in London.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANNA STEWART, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Rahel. Well, today we will find out whether the EU can gain any ground in its trade spat with President Donald Trump. On Monday, Trump doubled down on the next stage of his tariff plan for April 2nd, a day he's referring to as Liberation Day, saying he will soon announce tariffs on vehicles, aluminum and pharmaceuticals.

And his enthusiasm for tariffs was reinforced by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who said this will be, quote, the day the rest of the world starts to treat America with respect. And that sets the scene for today's meeting between Lutnick and the EU's chief trade negotiator.

Now, the EU recently delayed part of its countermeasures, which had included a 50 percent tariff on U.S. bourbon. This delay, albeit by just two weeks, was welcomed by the U.S. Spirits Council, which said it offered a glimmer of hope.

Now, Trump had threatened a 200 percent tariff on European wine, champagne and other alcohol products in retaliation for the measures on U.S. bourbon. So now there are hopes it may never materialize.

The trade meeting today will be closely watched. The EU hopes to reach a deal. But of course, we could see further escalation -- Rahel.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SOLOMON: All right, Anna Stewart, thank you.

And Wall Street means I'm hoping to continue its winning ways when trading begins and just a few hours. On Monday, the Dow gained nearly 600 points as optimism grew that President Trump's next round of tariffs will be more narrow, less wide ranging than he first indicated.

The Nasdaq added more than 400 points and the S&P closed up almost one point eight percentage points.

All right, taking a look at U.S. futures this morning. It is a different picture, still early, but a very different picture with all major averages looking set to open slightly lower. We'll call it fractionally lower at 5:53 on a Tuesday morning. We'll see how the session goes.

All right, an international flight gets turned around hours after takeoff, and the reason is apparently because of a forgetful pilot. We'll explain when we come back.

[05:55:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SOLOMON: Welcome back. A bittersweet victory and plenty of heartbreak in the Women's March Madness Tournament. The top seed, University of Southern California, easily defeated Mississippi State 96 to 59 to advance to the Sweet 16.

But Trojans chances for the rest of the tournament. Well, that came into serious doubt. That's after their star sophomore guard, Juju Watkins, sustained a season ending injury in the first quarter. USC later announcing that Watkins will require surgery before she begins rehabilitation. The Trojans will face the Kansas State Wildcats in Spokane, Washington on Saturday.

All right, for all the airline pilots watching this morning, a good reminder. Don't forget your passport. A United Airlines pilot apparently did just that, forcing a flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai to turn around over the weekend. The plane landed two hours after takeoff in San Francisco. That's according to the website Flight Aware. The airline says that it arranged for a new crew and gave passengers meal vouchers and compensation. The flight made it to Shanghai six hours behind schedule.

Well, the key to getting better sleep could be right at your feet. Might sound counterintuitive, but experts say wearing socks to bed may actually help you fall asleep faster by lowering your core body temperature. According to the Sleep Disorder Center at the Cleveland Clinic, getting your feet nice and toasty opens up the blood vessels that helps cool the rest of your body, preparing it for sleep.