NUUK, Greenland (AP) - Greenland's political leaders have firmly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump's ongoing proposals to acquire the island, emphasizing that any decisions regarding Greenland's future must be made by its own people. In a statement released on a Friday night, Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, along with four other party leaders, asserted, "We don’t want to be Americans, we don’t want to be Danes, we want to be Greenlanders."
Trump reiterated his desire to negotiate a deal for Greenland, which is a semiautonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark, calling it "the easy way." He expressed concerns that if the U.S. does not secure ownership, adversaries such as Russia or China could potentially claim the territory, creating undesirable neighbors for the United States.
"If we don’t do it the easy way, we’re going to do it the hard way," Trump stated, though he did not provide further details on what this would entail. The White House has signaled that it is contemplating a range of options, including military measures, to achieve control over the island.
In response, Greenland's party leaders reiterated their stance that "Greenland's future must be decided by the Greenlandic people." They underscored their desire for American officials to respect Greenland's autonomy and end any perceived disregard for the island's sovereignty.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has also weighed in, warning that an American takeover of Greenland could jeopardize the very foundation of NATO. This point highlights the geopolitical implications surrounding the issue, as it raises questions about the unity and solidarity of NATO allies in the face of potential U.S. aggression in the Arctic region.
Additionally, the statement from Greenland's leaders emphasized that discussions about the future of Greenland would occur through dialogue with the Greenlandic populace, based on international law. "No other country can interfere in this," they stated firmly, asserting the necessity for Greenlanders to determine their own destiny free from external pressures or quick decisions.
The leaders who signed the statement include Jens-Frederik Nielsen, Pele Broberg, Mette B. Egede, Aleqa Hammond, and Aqqalu C. Jerimiassen. Greenland, recognized as the largest island in the world, has a modest population of around 57,000 residents, and it lacks independent military capabilities as its defense falls under the purview of Denmark.
Given the historical context and the current geopolitical climate, it remains uncertain how NATO allies would react if the U.S. were to forcibly take control of Greenland, or whether they would fulfill their obligation to assist Denmark in such a scenario.
