Greenland’s PM Mute Bourup Egede and US President Donald Trump (Image: GETTY)
’s political leaders have launched a blistering attack on US President over his repeated suggestion that it should become part of the United States.
In a rare joint statement, the chairmen of Greenland’s five main political parties tore into Mr Trump’s recent remarks, branding them “unacceptable” and making it clear that any attempt to seize control of the island would be fiercely opposed.
They declared: “We—all party chairmen—cannot accept the repeated statements about annexation and control of Greenland,” warning against “attempts to create discord.”
The statement was signed by of Demokraatit, Pele Broberg of Naleraq, Múte Bourup Egede of Inuit Ataqatigiit, Vivian Motzfeldt of Siumut, and Aqqalu Jeremiassen of Atassut.
Mr Trump, who first floated the idea of buying Greenland in 2019, reignited tensions this week by declaring that the US should annex the island, dismissing Danish sovereignty, and even appered to suggest more US troops could soon be stationed there.
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Jens Frederik Nielsen will be Greenland’s next Prime Minister (Image: Getty)
He said: “We need that for international security. Not just security—international security.” His remarks have sent shockwaves through Greenland, with some politicians suggesting he is now openly contemplating an aggressive US takeover.
Mr Trump’s interest in Greenland comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the Arctic, with expanding its military presence in the region and China seeking greater influence.
But Greenland’s leaders have been quick to shut down any suggestion that the US could claim the island as its own. Mr Nielsen, the leader of Demokraatit, dismissed Mr Trump’s comments as reckless and inflammatory.
He said: “Greenland is not up for negotiation, not now, not ever.”
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Meanwhile, Inuit Ataqatigiit leader Mr Bourup Egede condemned Mr Trump’s statements as “a direct challenge to Greenlandic self-determination”.
The island, home to just 56,000 people, remains an autonomous territory of Denmark but has steadily increased its push for greater independence.
Mr Trump’s remarks have only strengthened the resolve of Greenlandic politicians to assert their sovereignty. Denmark, which has controlled Greenland for centuries, has also reacted with alarm to Trump’s statements.
A senior Danish government official, speaking anonymously, told reporters that Copenhagen views any talk of annexation as “dangerous nonsense” that risks destabilising NATO.
The US already has a military presence on the island, most notably at Thule Air Base, but suggestions of an expanded deployment have been met with fierce opposition.