Greenland’s prime minister said Friday that residents of the mineral-rich Arctic don’t want to be Americans, but that he understands US President-elect Donald Trump’s interest in the island given its strategic location and he is open to closer cooperation with Washington.
The comments from Greenland’s leader, Múte B. Egede, came after Trump said earlier this week that he would not rule out the use of 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 America’s melting sea ice new shipping routes opened through the Arcticand the western powers have done so too concerns have already been expressed Russia and China use it to strengthen their presence in the North Atlantic.
Egede acknowledged that Greenland is part of the North American continentand “a place that Americans see as part of their world.” He said he has not spoken to Trump but is open to discussions about what “unites us.”
“Collaboration is about dialogue. Working together means working on solutions,” he said.
Egede has called for independence for Greenland and has portrayed Denmark as a colonial power that has not always treated the indigenous Inuit people well.
“Greenland is for the Greenlandic people. 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 together with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen.
Trump’s desire for Greenland has sparked unrest both in Denmark and across Europe. The United States is a strong ally of the 27-nation European Union and the leading member of the NATO alliance, and many Europeans were shocked by the suggestion that a new American leader might even consider using force against a ally.
But Frederiksen said she sees a positive aspect to the discussion.
“The debate on Greenland’s independence and the latest announcements from the US show us the great interest in Greenland,” she said. “Events that set many thoughts and feelings in motion for many in Greenland and Denmark.”
“The US is our closest ally and we will do everything we can to continue strong cooperation,” she said.
Frederiksen and Egede spoke to journalists after a biennial meeting of Denmark and two areas of its kingdom, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. The meeting was 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 with the word TRUMP on it and handing out Make America Great Again hats to locals.
Danish public broadcaster DR reported Friday that Trump’s team encouraged homeless and socially disadvantaged people in Greenland to appear in a video wearing MAGA hats after offering them a free meal at a nice restaurant. The report quoted a local resident, Tom Amtof, who recognized some of them in a video broadcast by Trump’s team.
“They are being bribed, and that is very distasteful,” he said.
Greenland has 57,000 inhabitants. But it is a vast area that holds natural resources including oil, gas and rare earth metals, which are expected to become more accessible as ice is melting 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 batteries for electric vehicles. China at the moment produces about 65% of the world’s graphite.
While Copenhagen is responsible for its foreign affairs and defense, the US also shares responsibility for Greenland’s defense
and operates a base there, Pituffik Space Base, which remains the U.S. military’s northernmost installation to this day.
Haley Ott contributed to this report.
