Greenland is ready to talk.
On Monday, the newly elected president of the United States, Donald Trump, reacted to the diplomatic earthquake last week thought about taking over The prime minister of Greenland, a giant island in the Arctic Ocean, said his territory wants to work more closely with the United States on defense and natural resources.
“The reality is we will work with the US – yesterday, today and tomorrow,” Prime Minister Mute Egede told a news conference in Nuuk, Greenland's small, ice-covered capital.
But he was adamant: Greenlanders did not want to become Americans.
“We have to be very smart about how we act,” he said, adding: “The power struggle between the superpowers is growing and is now knocking at our door.”
Mr. Trump refused to rule out the use of economic or military force Recapturing the Panama Canal and seizing the semi-autonomous Danish territory of Greenland, which he proposed to buy early in his reign. Then, as now, Greenland and Denmark said that the island was not for sale. Panamanian leaders also rejected this threat.
Mr Egede said on Monday that “we were all shocked” by Mr Trump's remarks, which were punctuated by a surprising and somewhat mysterious visit by the president-elect's eldest son. Donald Trump Jr.to the island on the same day.
The young Mr. Trump, saying he was on personal business, went sightseeing at lightning speed, and since then, headlines around the world have covered Greenland.
Most of Greenland is covered in ice, home to just 56,000 people, and until recently the island was best known for its icebergs and polar bears. As climate change melts the Arctic ice, the region is quietly falling between world powers.
The United States, Russia, European countries, China and others have eyed the Arctic shipping lanes and vast mineral resources that are no longer considered accessible.
The island has been linked to Denmark for centuries, first as a colony and now as a separate territory that has gained a large degree of autonomy in recent years. Denmark still controls the island's foreign policy and defense policy.
But increasing interest from international powers is linked to Greenland's bid for independence, and that itch is getting stronger. At the same time, many people here do not want to completely cut ties with Denmark because of the hundreds of millions of dollars in subsidies Denmark provides each year.
On a sunny Monday afternoon at zero degrees Fahrenheit, many people in Nuuk were anxiously awaiting what the prime minister would say.
“Whatever happens, there's no going back,” said Aviaq Kleist, owner of the cafe, which has several dozen shops in Nuuk Center, the city's largest shopping mall. He joked that maybe Mr. Egede would suddenly declare independence.
Mr Egede did not – he danced around the question, saying the country was working steadily towards the goal but that “different parties have different views”. (Also there is a clear independence process related to the referendum.
The Prime Minister also expressed relief at the comments made by new Vice President JD Vance. Fox News show this weekend. Although Mr. Vance did not rule out military force, saying “we don't have to use military force,” saying “we already have troops in Greenland,” his tone was upbeat when he spoke of Greenland's “incredible natural resources.” and “a contract to be made.”
The US has been interested in Greenland for years. During the Second World War, he established bases here, and after the war, he tried to buy Greenland from Denmark, which refused. Today, the American military rules Pituffic Space Basespecialized in missile defense at the northern end of the island.
People in Nuuk on Monday appeared to be on the same page as the prime minister, expressing a mix of hope and caution. Several said they did not want to be absorbed by the United States. But they wanted a stronger partnership with America.
“What we really need is more cooperation and trade,” said fisherman Nielseerag Berthelsen. He worked in an ice-covered seafood market, selling whale skin and bright red seal meat.
He said that while he was walking in another shopping center last week, someone suddenly approached him and invited him for a special lunch.
The next thing he knew, he said, he was shaking the hand of a young Mr. Trump.
“He had so much passion,” said Mr. Berthelsen, who stood in such cold weather that his eyes teared up as he spoke. “He had good energy.”
Ivik Christiansen contributed to this report.