Greenland’s likely next prime minister has told Donald Trump, “We don’t want to be Americans,” after the U.S. president reiterated his desire to annex the Arctic island.
Since taking office in January, Trump has vowed to make Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, part of the U.S., arguing that it is vital to America’s security interests.
But Jens-Frederik Nielsen, whose center-right Demokraatit party won a surprise victory in Greenland’s general election on Tuesday, told broadcaster Sky News on Thursday: “We don’t want to be Americans. No, we don’t want to be Danes.
“We want to be Greenlanders, and we want our own independence in the future. And we want to build our own country by ourselves.”
Nielsen was speaking after a meeting between Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office on Thursday, in which the U.S. president again pushed for the island’s annexation, saying: “I think that will happen.”
Trump questioned Denmark’s authority over Greenland, saying: “They [the Danes] say they have rights to it. I don’t know if that’s true. I don’t think it is, actually.”
Trump also pointed out that the U.S. already has a military presence in Greenland, adding: “Maybe you’ll see more and more soldiers going there.”
‘Enough is enough’
Greenland's outgoing prime minister, Múte Bourup Egede, whose Inuit Ataqatigiit party finished third in Tuesday’s vote, has also rebuffed Trump’s overtures.
After previously warning Trump that “Greenland is not for sale,” he said: “The American president has once again evoked the idea of annexing us. I absolutely cannot accept that.
“Enough is enough.”
Egede, who continues to serve as the island’s interim head until a new government is formed, said he would summon the leaders of all parties to issue a joint rejection of Trump.
“This time we need to toughen our rejection of Trump. People cannot continue to disrespect us,” he said.
Coalition talks loom
Tuesday’s election, which gained international spotlight amid Trump’s desire to acquire the island, saw Demokraatit win 29.9% of the vote.
The party campaigned primarily on domestic issues, promising better housing and educational standards while advocating for delaying Greenland's independence until the island becomes economically self-sufficient.
However, it will need coalition partners to form the next government.
Naleraq, the most pro-independence party, came in second with 24.5%, followed by Inuit Ataqatigiit with 21.4%.
While Greenland governs its own domestic matters, decisions on foreign and defense policy are made in Denmark, which has ruled the island for over 300 years despite being separated by a distance of nearly 3,000 kilometers.
