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At the end of a tumultuous week after US President-elect Donald Trump refused to rule out the use of force to take control of the territory, the Arctic island’s prime minister announced It is said that he wants to be independent and not even a person.
“The status quo is not an option,” Mute Egede said, calling for the vast and geopolitically important island of 57,000 people to become independent from Denmark and reject President Trump’s attempt to buy Greenland. He said he hopes to have a “unique voice” in the event.
“We don’t want to be Danes, we don’t want to be Americans, we want to be Greenlanders,” he said at a press conference Friday.
Speaking at the same meeting, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Greenland’s desire for independence was “legitimate and understandable,” while calling U.S. interest in the autonomous region “positive.”
Frederiksen added that he wants to unite the Kingdom of Denmark, which includes the autonomous territories of Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. “Personally, I believe that if we come together, we will be stronger in the global game,” she stressed.
President Trump this week raised the possibility of using military force against the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ally to bring Greenland under U.S. control to counter Russia and China’s growing interest in the Arctic. refused to be excluded.
The world’s largest island outside the continent already hosts a U.S. military base, is the center of Arctic security, is also the starting point for two new subpolar sea routes, and is home to large amounts of rare earths and other minerals. It is believed that it holds.
Greenland, which has autonomy in most matters except foreign and security policy provided by Denmark, has long wanted independence but has struggled to find enough economic growth to sever ties with Copenhagen.
Egede, who has repeatedly stressed that Greenland is not for sale, said Greenland was ready to work with the United States, as it has done for years, but insisted its fate would be decided by Greenlanders. He said President Trump’s military threat was “serious” but Greenlanders must avoid becoming “hysterical”.
“When I speak to leaders of other countries, I have to be with the Danish ambassador. It’s about these things that we want to make our voices heard,” he added.
Greenlanders living in the capital Nuuk said they were shocked and perplexed by President Trump’s comments and how they were thrust into the center of the world’s attention. Many residents told the Financial Times they supported greater autonomy or even independence for Greenland, but not a U.S. takeover.
“Trump’s desire to take over Greenland is ridiculous. He’s not just going to buy the country and its people,” said Cupik Kleist, Greenland’s former prime minister. “It reminds me of Mr. Putin.”
Frederiksen said he had requested a meeting with Trump to discuss the issue, and that the president-elect did not bring up Greenland in their meeting after his election victory in November.
“The growing US interest in Greenland is a positive thing for us…we need to cooperate more closely in investment, business and mineral development. We are happy to make further investments,” added the Danish Prime Minister.
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When President Trump first proposed buying Greenland in 2019, Danish politicians, including Frederiksen, reacted with anger and derision, but this time they offered a more nuanced response, saying the island was not for sale but that they would cooperate. He claimed to be enthusiastic about doing so. America in the North Pole.
Danish ministers have admitted that not enough has been invested in defending Greenland, which has only four ships, surveillance planes and dog sled patrols. They have pledged up to $2 billion in additional investment, but officials have said privately that they rely on NATO and the U.S. military to fully protect the island.
Chinese companies have tried to invest in Greenland’s airport and some mining projects, but have been rejected by the United States and Denmark.
