The Prime Minister of Greenland said on Friday that the people of the mineral-rich Arctic region do not want to be Americans, but that he understands US President-elect Donald Trump is interested in the island with its strategic location and is open to more cooperation with Washington.
The comments from the Greenlandic leader, Mute B. Egede, came after Trump said earlier this week that he would not rule out using force or economic pressure to force Greenland – a semi-autonomous region of Denmark – to become part of the United States. Trump said it was a matter of national security for the US to melt sea ice opened new shipping lanes through the Arcticand the Western powers have already expressed concerns Russia and China use it to increase their presence in the North Atlantic.
Egede admitted that Greenland is part of the North American continentand “a place that Americans see as part of their world.” He said that he has not spoken to Trump, but that he is open to discussions about what “unites us.”
“Collaboration is about communication. Collaboration means you work towards solutions,” he said.
Egede has been calling for independence for Greenland, casting Denmark as a colonial power that has not always treated the Indigenous Inuit people well.
“Greenland is for the people of Greenland. We don't want to be Danish, we don't want to be American. We want to be Greenlandic,” he said at a press conference with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen.
Trump's desire for Greenland has raised concern in Denmark and throughout Europe. The United States is a staunch ally of the 27-nation European Union and the main member of the NATO alliance, and many Europeans were surprised by the suggestion that an incoming US leader might even consider using force. against friendship.
But Frederiksen said she sees a positive side to the debate.
“The debate about Greenland's independence and the latest announcements from the US show us the great interest in Greenland,” she said. “Events that started many thoughts and feelings with many in Greenland and in Denmark.”
“The US is our closest ally, and we will do everything to continue strong cooperation,” she said.
Frederiksen and Egede spoke to journalists after a biennial convention in 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 visited Greenland on Tuesdaylanding in a plane emblazoned with the word TRUMP and handing out Make America Great Again caps to locals.
Danish public broadcaster DR said on Friday that Trump's team was encouraging homeless and socially disadvantaged people in Greenland to appear in a video wearing MAGA hats after receiving free meals in nice restaurant. The report cited a local resident, Tom Amtof, who identified some of those in a video broadcast by the Trump team.
“They're being bribed, and it's really horrible,” he said.
Greenland has a population of 57,000. But it is a large area with natural resources that include oil, gas, and rare earth elements, which are expected to become more accessible as ice melting due to climate change. Greenland may have large reserves of up to 31 different minerals, including lithium and graphite. These rare materials are needed to make electric vehicle batteries. China now makes about 65% of the world's graphite.
While Copenhagen is responsible for foreign affairs and defense, the US is also responsible for the defense of Greenland
and it operates a base there, Pituffik Space Base, which remains the northernmost installation of the American military.
contributed to this report.
