Greenland’s prime minister said Friday that people in the mineral-rich Arctic territory don’t want to be Americans, but they understand The interest of the president-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, in the island given its strategic location and is open to greater cooperation with Washington.
The comments by Greenlandic leader Múte B. Egede came after Trump said earlier this week that he would not rule out using force or economic pressure to make Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, part of the United States. . Trump said it was a matter of national security for the US. Melting sea ice has opened new sea routes through the Arcticand the Western powers have already expressed concern about Russia and China use it to boost their presence in the North Atlantic.
Egede acknowledged that Greenland is part of the North American continent.and “a place that Americans see as part of their world.” He said he hasn’t spoken to Trump but is open to discussions about what “brings us together.”
“Cooperation is about dialogue. Cooperation means that they will work to find solutions,” he said.
Egede has been calling for Greenland’s independence, portraying Denmark as a colonial power that has not always treated the indigenous Inuit population well.
“Greenland is for the Greenlandic people. We don’t want to be Danes, we don’t want to be Americans. We want to be Greenlanders,” he said at a news conference alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen.
Trump’s desire for Greenland has caused anxiety in Denmark and across Europe. The United States is a strong ally of the 27-nation European Union and the top member of the NATO alliance, and many Europeans were shocked by the suggestion that an incoming American leader might even consider using force against an ally.
But Frederiksen sees a positive aspect in the debate.
“The debate on Greenland’s independence and the latest announcements from the United States show us the great interest in Greenland,” he said. “Events that set in motion many thoughts and feelings in many people in Greenland and Denmark.”
“The United States is our closest ally and we will do everything we can to continue strong cooperation,” he said.
Frederiksen and Egede spoke to reporters after a biannual meeting of Denmark and two territories of its kingdom, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. The meeting had been previously scheduled and was not called in response to Trump’s recent comments. Trump’s eldest son also visited Greenland on Tuesdaylanding on a plane emblazoned with the word TRUMP and handing out Make America Great Again hats to locals.
Danish public broadcaster DR reported on Friday that Trump’s team encouraged homeless and socially disadvantaged people in Greenland to appear in a video wearing MAGA hats after they were offered a free meal at a nice restaurant. The report cited a local resident, Tom Amtof, who recognized some of them in a video broadcast by Trump’s team.
“They are being bribed and it is deeply unpleasant,” he said.
Greenland has a population of 57,000 inhabitants. But it is a vast territory that holds natural resources including oil, gas and rare earth elements, which are expected to become more accessible as progress is made. Ice melts due to climate change.. Greenland may have significant reserves of up to 31 different minerals, including lithium and graphite. These rare materials are needed to produce electric vehicle batteries. China currently produces about 65% of graphite in the world.
While Copenhagen is responsible for its foreign and defense affairs, the United States also shares responsibility for the defense of Greenland.
and operates a base there, Pituffik Space Base, which to this day remains the northernmost American military installation.
Haley Ott contributed to this report.
