Greenland has expressed its willingness to work more closely with the United States on defense and natural resources, following President-elect Donald J. Trump’s comments about taking over the island.
Prime Minister Múte Egede stated that “we are going to work with the U.S. — yesterday, today and tomorrow,” but emphasized that Greenlanders did not want to become Americans. The prime minister also warned of rising power struggles between superpowers, saying “the power struggles between the superpowers are rising and are now knocking on our door.”
Trump’s comments sparked a diplomatic response from the Danish government, which said the island was not for sale. Panama’s leaders also rejected the threat.
Greenland is a semiautonomous territory of Denmark with a population of around 56,000 people. The island has been gaining international attention due to its valuable mineral resources and strategic location in the Arctic Ocean.
The US has been interested in Greenland for years, with established bases during World War II and ongoing military operations at the Pituffik Space Base. Despite Trump’s comments, many Greenlanders want a stronger partnership with America, but are cautious about losing autonomy.
“We need more cooperation and trade,” said Nielseeraq Berthelsen, a fisherman who met Donald Trump Jr. on his visit to the island. “What we really need is to work together without losing our independence.”
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/13/world/europe/greenland-trump-business.html