Greenland’s Prime Minister Múte Egede firmly responded to US President-elect Donald Trump’s recent remarks regarding the island’s ownership, stating, “Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must not lose our long struggle for freedom.”
Trump, who will take office on January 20, 2025, declared on Truth Social that US control over Greenland is “an absolute necessity for National Security and Freedom throughout the World.” The statement rekindled memories of Trump’s 2019 attempt to purchase Greenland, which was rejected by Denmark and Greenland’s local authorities before any formal negotiations could take place.
Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who remains in office, had previously called Trump’s proposal “absurd,” prompting the then-president to describe her comments as “nasty” and cancel a planned visit to Copenhagen.
Strategically, Greenland is vital for the United States due to its Pituffik airbase, which supports ballistic missile early-warning systems and offers a critical location for transatlantic operations. Economically, the island boasts significant mineral, oil, and natural gas resources, although its development remains slow, and the local economy relies heavily on fishing and annual subsidies from Denmark.
Greenland, which has a population of approximately 56,000, has the right to declare independence from Denmark, granted in 2009. However, it has refrained from doing so due to economic reliance on Danish support.
Denmark’s opposition Conservative Party leader Rasmus Jarlov urged the Danish government to issue a strong statement affirming that Greenland’s sovereignty is non-negotiable. He emphasized that any US actions aimed at controlling Danish territory should be strictly prohibited.
Trump’s revived interest in Greenland, alongside his recent remarks about reasserting control over the Panama Canal, signals a renewed focus on strategic territories under his upcoming administration, raising concerns over the implications for global diplomacy and national sovereignty.
