Greenland Rejects Trump's Sovereignty Claims

Greenland’s Prime Minister, Mute Egede, firmly stated on Wednesday that the people of Greenland will determine their own future, rejecting any notion of becoming part of the United States, and simultaneously condemning Danish rule. Egede’s comments came in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed expression of interest in acquiring the semi-autonomous Danish territory.

“We do not want to be Americans, nor Danes. We are Kalaallit (Greenlanders). The Americans and their leader must understand that,” Egede wrote in a Facebook post. “We are not for sale and cannot be taken. Our future is determined by us in Greenland,” he added.

Trump’s remarks, made during a speech to the U.S. Congress on Tuesday, included a direct appeal to Greenlanders, stating, “We strongly support your right to determine your own future, and if you choose, we welcome you into the United States of America.”

Denmark Backs Greenland’s Autonomy

Denmark’s Foreign Minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, acknowledged Trump’s recognition of Greenland’s right to self-determination as a significant point in his address. “He said they respect the right to Greenlandic self-determination, and that I think was the most important part of that speech,” Rasmussen said during a press conference in Helsinki on Wednesday.

Rasmussen noted that while Greenlanders may seek to loosen ties with Denmark, which currently oversees the island’s foreign and defense policies, it is unclear whether they would favor joining the United States. Opinion polls indicate that most Greenlanders oppose becoming part of the U.S., though a majority support eventual independence from Denmark.

Danish Vice-Prime Minister and Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen also weighed in, emphasizing that Greenland’s future lies in the hands of its people. “If one is to note something positive in what Trump said last night, it is that he expressed respect for the Greenlandic people and their wishes,” Poulsen said. He suggested that any decision on Greenland’s future would likely be made through an independence referendum.

Trump’s Remarks Spark Outrage

Trump’s comments, which included implications about Greenland’s sovereignty and claims that his administration was “working with everyone to try and get it,” have drawn sharp criticism from Greenlandic politicians. The timing of his remarks, just one week before Greenland’s parliamentary elections, has further fueled tensions.

Greenland, a strategically significant Arctic island rich in natural resources, has long been a focal point of geopolitical interest. However, Egede’s firm stance underscores the island’s commitment to self-governance and its rejection of external control.

As Greenlanders prepare to vote, the island’s leadership has made it clear that its future will be shaped by its people, not by foreign powers.