Greenland’s premier rejects Trump’s interest in ‘ownership’

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AA) – Greenland’s prime minister firmly stated Monday that the Arctic territory “will never be for sale” following comments by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump expressing interest in owning the island.

“Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and we will never be for sale,” Mute Egede told Danish newswire Ritzau. He also emphasized Greenland’s autonomy and openness to trade partnerships globally, adding: “Our international relations and trade can’t all go through Denmark.”

“For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity,” Trump said on Sunday, announcing his nominee for ambassador to Denmark. The statement followed a 2019 proposal by Trump during his first term to buy the island, which is an autonomous territory of Denmark, a proposal that was met by surprise and confusion.

Although not explicitly proposing a purchase, Greenlandic MP Aaja Chemnitz of the Inuit Ataqatigiit viewed Trump’s words as a signal of intent to buy the territory.

Chemnitz called Trump’s comments “very disrespectful” and stressed that any decision about Greenland’s future would rest with its people, who have extended autonomy. “No political party in Greenland wishes to become American citizens,” she added.

Citizens of Greenland are full citizens of both Denmark and the European Union.

Aki-Matilda Hoegh Dam, another Greenlandic MP, called Greenland “not an asset for trade or a geostrategic trophy” but expressed openness to dialogue about Trump’s intentions.

Ritzau reported it had sought comments from Danish Premier Mette Frederiksen and Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, but none had been provided at the time of reporting.

Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Danish kingdom, maintains its own parliament and administration while electing two members to Denmark’s Folketing.