NUUK, Greenland (AP) — Greenland’s Prime Minister, Múte Bourup Egede, strongly responded to comments from U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday, declaring that “Greenland is ours” and that the island cannot be bought or taken. His remarks came in defiance of Trump’s statement in which he expressed U.S. support for Greenland’s right to self-determination, but also made it clear that the United States would seek to acquire the Arctic territory “one way or another.”
In a post shared on Facebook in both Greenlandic and Danish, Egede emphasized that Greenlandic citizens are neither American nor Danish but are Greenlandic. “The future of Greenland will be decided by its people,” he asserted, underlining that no external power could impose decisions on the island.
Egede’s statement followed Trump’s appeal made earlier in a speech to Congress on Tuesday, a week ahead of Greenland’s parliamentary elections. The U.S. president reiterated that his administration fully supported Greenland’s right to determine its own future and even extended an invitation for Greenland to join the United States, promising safety and prosperity.
“We strongly support your right to determine your own future, and if you choose, we welcome you into the United States of America,” Trump said in his speech. He added that the U.S. would make Greenland “rich” and take the island to “heights like you have never thought possible.”
However, Trump’s comments also included a more controversial declaration regarding the potential acquisition of Greenland. “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,” he stated, referring to his longstanding interest in purchasing Greenland from Denmark, a key U.S. ally.
The notion of the U.S. acquiring Greenland has drawn significant backlash in the territory, with many Greenlanders finding Trump’s comments offensive and unsettling. The island, rich in natural resources, is a semiautonomous territory of Denmark, and concerns about losing its autonomy have been a prominent issue during the current election campaign.
Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen responded to Trump’s remarks by emphasizing that Greenlanders would likely not want to sever ties with Denmark in favor of becoming part of the United States. Rasmussen sought to remain optimistic, highlighting that Trump’s affirmation of Greenland’s right to self-determination was the most important aspect of his statement.
“I’m very optimistic about what will be a Greenlandic decision about this. They want to loosen their ties to Denmark, we’re working on that, to have a more equal relationship,” Rasmussen said during a trip to Finland. He also noted that the upcoming parliamentary elections in Greenland should remain free of outside influence, including international pressure.
The ongoing debate over Greenland’s future has led to unprecedented discussions about full independence from Denmark, with many islanders now considering the prospect more seriously. The issue is expected to play a significant role in the upcoming parliamentary elections on Tuesday.
As Greenland approaches this pivotal election, the territory’s citizens are faced with the complex question of their future relationship with both Denmark and the broader international community. While Egede and other Greenlandic leaders continue to assert their right to make decisions without external interference, Trump’s words have added fuel to an ongoing conversation about Greenland’s sovereignty and its role in global geopolitics.
