Greenland’s prime minister and four party leaders issued a joint statement Friday firmly rejecting President Donald Trump’s calls for the United States to take control of the self-governing Arctic island, saying its future must be decided by its own people alone. “We don’t want to be Americans, we don’t want to be Danes, we want to be Greenlanders,” the leaders said. The statement came as the White House confirmed it is weighing options to acquire Greenland, including military force.
The unified rejection by Greenland’s political establishment deepens a standoff with Washington that has alarmed NATO allies. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that an American takeover of Greenland would mark the end of the alliance.
NUUK, Greenland — Greenland’s prime minister and four party leaders issued a unified statement Friday firmly rejecting President Donald Trump’s calls for the United States to acquire the self-governing Arctic island, insisting that Greenlanders alone must shape their future.
“We don’t want to be Americans, we don’t want to be Danes, we want to be Greenlanders,” Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and the four leaders said in the statement issued Friday night.
The statement said “the work on Greenland’s future takes place in dialogue with the Greenlandic people and is prepared on the basis of international laws,” and that “no other country can interfere in this.”
Trump renews acquisition push
Trump said Friday that he wants to make a deal to acquire Greenland, a semiautonomous region that is part of NATO ally Denmark, and issued a warning about the consequences of refusal.
“If we don’t do it the easy way, we’re going to do it the hard way,” Trump said, without specifying what that entailed.
The White House said it is considering a range of options to acquire Greenland, including the use of military force. Trump also said that if the U.S. does not control Greenland, Russia or China will take it over.
Talks ongoing, NATO stakes raised
Officials from Denmark, Greenland and the United States met Thursday in Washington and are set to meet again the following week to discuss the White House’s push for the island.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that an American takeover of Greenland would mark the end of NATO.
Greenland’s unified response
The joint statement was signed by Nielsen, Pele Broberg, Múte B. Egede, Aleqa Hammond and Aqqalu C. Jerimiassen. It called on Washington to end what it described as the United States’ “contempt for our country.”
“We must decide the future of our country ourselves, without pressure for quick decision, delay or interference from other countries,” the leaders said.
Greenland is the world’s largest island and has a population of around 57,000. It does not have its own military; Denmark provides its defense, though Denmark’s forces are dwarfed by those of the United States.
It is unclear how the remaining NATO members would respond if the U.S. were to forcibly seek control of Greenland, or whether they would come to Denmark’s aid.