Greenland’s Prime Minister, Mute Bourup Egede, has dismissed Trump’s plan to take control of the island, insisting that only the people of Greenland have the right to determine their future. REUTERS
Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Bourup Egede has firmly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that he will gain control of the island “one way or the other.” Egede made his stance clear in a Facebook post, saying, “Greenland is ours,” using the country’s Greenlandic name, Kalaallit Nunaat.
Egede emphasized that Greenlanders are neither Americans nor Danes but an independent people with their own identity. He stated that Greenland is not for sale and that only its citizens have the right to decide their future. He ended his message with a clenched fist emoji and a Greenlandic flag, signaling strong resistance to external control.
Trump’s interest in Greenland has been a major topic since he took office six weeks ago. The island, rich in minerals and strategically located in the North Atlantic, has drawn the attention of world powers. Greenland is a self-governing territory of Denmark with a population of around 56,000 people.
In a recent speech to Congress, Trump addressed Greenlanders directly, just days before their parliamentary elections. He said the U.S. supports their right to decide their future and would welcome them as part of the United States if they choose. Trump promised security, economic prosperity, and new opportunities, claiming that Greenland could reach new heights under U.S. leadership.
However, Trump’s remarks also reflected his broader foreign policy approach. He has proposed relocating Palestinians out of Gaza to create a “Riviera of the Middle East,” expressed interest in regaining control of the Panama Canal, and withheld arms deliveries to Ukraine due to disagreements over a peace deal with Russia.
Trump openly declared that the U.S. is working to acquire Greenland, citing global security reasons. “We need it for international security,” he said. “And I think we’re going to get it. One way or the other.”
In Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, residents are taking Trump’s statements seriously. The cold, snowy streets are filled with discussions about what becoming part of the U.S. could mean for their way of life.
Lisa Aardestrup, an 18-year-old student, strongly opposes the idea. She worries that U.S. influence would harm Greenland’s environment and fishing industry, which makes up 90% of the island’s exports. She also fears inflation, higher taxes, and an increase in crime. “We want to stay independent,” she said, stressing that Greenlanders cherish their culture and close-knit communities.
The majority of Greenlanders support self-rule. In 2009, they voted in favor of greater autonomy from Denmark, though Denmark still oversees their defense and foreign affairs. The referendum also set a path for full independence in the future.
Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen weighed in on the issue, saying he doesn’t believe Greenlanders want to leave Denmark only to become part of the U.S. He emphasized that Greenland should decide its own future without external pressure, especially with elections coming up.
Despite widespread opposition, some Greenlanders see benefits in closer ties with the U.S. Yulao Sandkreen, standing outside a supermarket, welcomed the idea. “We need McDonald’s,” he said. “We need everything.”
