Greenland's prime minister said Friday that residents of the mineral-rich Arctic territory don't want to be Americans, but he understands Interest in the island of US President-elect Donald Trump given its strategic location, and it is open to greater cooperation with Washington.
Comments of the leader of Greenland Mute B. Egede's comments came after Trump said earlier this week that he would not rule out using force or economic pressure to make Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, part of the United States. Trump has said that melting sea ice is a matter of US national security opened new sea routes through the Arcticand western states have have already expressed concern Russia and China are using it to strengthen their presence in the North Atlantic.
Egede admitted it Greenland is part of the North American continentand “a place that Americans see as part of their world.” He said he had not spoken to Trump, but that he was open to discussing what “we have in common.”
“Collaboration is about dialogue. Collaboration means you will work to solve problems,” he said.
Egede called for Greenlandic independence, calling Denmark a colonial power that did not always treat the indigenous Inuit population well.
“Greenland is for the people of Greenland. We don't want to be Danes, we don't want to be Americans. We want to be Greenlanders,” he said at a press conference together with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen.
Trump's pursuit of Greenland has caused alarm in Denmark as well as across Europe. The United States is a strong ally of the 27-nation European Union and a leading member of the NATO alliance, and many Europeans were shocked by the suggestion that the new American leader might even consider using force against an ally.
But Frederiksen said she sees a positive side to the discussion.
“The debate about Greenlandic independence and the recent statements from the US show us a lot of interest in Greenland,” she said. “Events which have stirred many thoughts and feelings in many Greenlanders and Danes.”
“The United States is our closest ally, and we will do everything to continue our strong cooperation,” she said.
Frederiksen and Egede spoke to reporters after the biennial assembly of Denmark and its kingdom's two territories, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. The meeting was previously scheduled and was not called in response to Trump's recent remarks. Trump's eldest son also visited Greenland on Tuesdaylanding a plane with TRUMP emblazoned on it and handing out Make America Great Again caps to locals.
Denmark's public broadcaster DR reported on Friday that Trump's team encouraged homeless and disadvantaged people in Greenland to appear in a video wearing MAGA hats after being offered a free meal at a nice restaurant. The report quoted local resident Tom Amtoff as recognizing some of them in a video aired by Trump's team.
“They are being bribed, and it is very distasteful,” he said.
The population of Greenland is 57,000. But it is a vast area with natural resources that include oil, gas and rare earth elements that are expected to become more accessible the 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 now produces about 65% of world graphite.
While Copenhagen is responsible for its foreign affairs and defense, the US also shares responsibility for the defense of Greenland
and operates the Pituffik Space Base there, which to this day remains the northernmost base of the US military.
contributed to this report.