Greenland’s Prime Minister, Mute Egede, has firmly rejected US President-elect Donald Trump’s recent comments about the “ownership and control” of the Arctic island, reaffirming that Greenland is not for sale. The island, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark for over 600 years, is home to 56,000 inhabitants and boasts significant natural resources, including minerals, oil, and natural gas.
“Greenland is ours,” Egede stated, adding, “We are not for sale and will never be for sale.” He emphasized the importance of continuing the island’s long struggle for freedom, underscoring the sentiment of many Greenlanders who view their sovereignty as non-negotiable.
Trump’s comments came on the heels of his announcement that he had selected Ken Howery, a former envoy to Sweden, as his ambassador to Copenhagen. On the social media platform Truth Social, Trump remarked that “for purposes of national security and freedom throughout the world,” the United States considers the “ownership and control” of Greenland a vital necessity. However, the US president-elect did not provide further details on his statement, which has raised concerns in Denmark and Greenland.
Greenland, while a part of Denmark, hosts a large US Air Force base at Pituffik, which plays a crucial role in the US military’s ballistic missile early-warning system. The island’s strategic location, closer to New York than to Copenhagen, makes it a key asset in North American defense.
The Danish government quickly responded to Trump’s comments with calls for clear reaffirmation of Greenland’s status. Rasmus Jarlov, a member of Denmark’s opposition Conservative Party, took to the social media platform X, urging the Danish government to make it clear that control over Greenland is non-negotiable. Jarlov, who also heads the parliamentary defense committee, warned that any US efforts to take control of Danish territory should be met with strong resistance, stating, “If they want control, then they can’t be there at all.”
Trump’s remarks have stirred memories of his previous attempt in 2019 to buy Greenland, a proposal that was swiftly rejected by both Denmark and Greenland’s local authorities. At the time, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called the offer “absurd,” prompting Trump to label her dismissal of the idea as “nasty” and cancel his planned visit to Copenhagen.
Greenland has had the right to declare independence from Denmark since 2009, but despite its significant mineral wealth, the island’s economy remains heavily dependent on fishing and subsidies from Denmark. While discussions of independence have surfaced over the years, Greenland has yet to take formal steps toward secession.
As Trump’s administration prepares to take office, the comments about Greenland’s status are likely to continue to fuel political debate in both Denmark and Greenland.
