Denmark rejects Trump’s renewed push for Greenland to join the US
Denmark has strongly opposed US President Donald Trump’s renewed push for Greenland to join the US, following his remarks during a joint session of Congress two days ago.
Trump stated on Wednesday that his administration would “strongly support” Greenlanders’ right to determine their future, adding, “And if you choose, we welcome you into the United States of America.”
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded on Wednesday, emphasizing that Greenland’s future is solely for its people to decide.
“Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders. This is a position that we very strongly support from the Danish government,” she said.
Greenland and Denmark reject Trump’s claim
Greenlandic Prime Minister Mute Egede firmly rejected Trump’s statement, making it clear on social media that Greenlanders have no interest in becoming part of the US.
Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen reinforced this stance, stressing that Greenland will never be part of the United States.
“It is not, and it will never be, the case that the United States can dictate and get a part of the Danish Kingdom,” he said.
Greenland, the world’s largest island with a population of around 60,000, was a Danish colony until 1953, when it became an integral part of Denmark, granting Greenlanders Danish citizenship. In 1979, Greenland achieved home rule, gaining greater self-governance while Denmark retained authority over foreign and defense policy.
Greenland asserts its independence
This is not the first time Trump has floated the idea of taking over Greenland. Denmark has consistently rejected the notion, making it clear that the island is not for sale.
Greenland’s Prime Minister Egede reiterated on Wednesday that the Greenlandic people will determine their own future and do not wish to become part of the US or remain Danes.
“We do not want to be Americans, nor Danes, we are Kalaallit (Greenlanders). The Americans and their leader must understand that,” Egede wrote in a Facebook post.
