Greenland’s Prime Minister, Mute Egede, has expressed "willingness" to engage in dialogue with US President-elect Donald Trump, who has described acquiring the mineral-rich Arctic island as an “absolute necessity.”
Egede, however, reaffirmed Greenland’s commitment to self-determination, rejecting the prospect of being governed by either Denmark or the United States.
Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, boasts vast reserves of oil, gas, and rare earth elements. Its strategic Arctic location has become a focal point amid rising global competition, particularly from Russia and China.
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Speaking in Copenhagen alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Egede declared, “We don’t want to be Danes. We don’t want to be Americans. We want to be Greenlandic... of course, it’s the Greenlandic people who decide their future.”
Trump, who will assume office on 20 January, has reiterated the importance of US control over Greenland for both strategic and economic reasons. He has not ruled out employing military or economic measures, including tariffs on Denmark, to achieve his goal.
Egede acknowledged Greenland's proximity to North America and its strategic relevance to the US, remarking, “It’s a place that the Americans see as part of their world.”
While he has yet to communicate with Trump directly, Egede expressed readiness for discussions with Washington on mutual interests.
“...We’re ready to talk. I think we are both ready to increase our dialogue and reach out,” he said.
Egede, a staunch advocate of Greenland’s independence, used the opportunity to emphasise his country’s desire for sovereignty, saying, “We have a desire for independence, a desire to be the master of our own house... This is something everyone should respect.”
Despite this, Egede clarified that Greenland does not seek a complete severance of ties with Denmark, noting their shared history.
Greenland, the largest island in the world, was a Danish colony until 1953. It achieved self-rule in 2009, granting it the right to declare independence through a vote, though foreign affairs and defence remain under Danish oversight.
The United States has maintained a military presence in Greenland since 1951 under a defence agreement with Denmark, operating a strategically vital base there.
Trump’s strong rhetoric about acquiring Greenland, including the possibility of using force, has raised concerns in Denmark and across Europe, with NATO allies alarmed at the implications for transatlantic relations.
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