Amidst US President Donald Trump’s latest controversial remarks around Greenland, Mute Bourup Egede, the Prime Minister of Greenland has defiantly stated on Facebook that “Greenland is ours”. This comes on the heels of Trump telling a joint session of Congress on March 5 that he wants the US to take control of Greenland “one way or the other”.
“We don’t want to be Americans, nor Danes; We are Kalaallit. The Americans and their leader must understand that. We are not for sale and cannot simply be taken. Our future will be decided by us in Greenland,” Egede said.
Trump has tenaciously expressed interest in Greenland since he took office in January. The sudden interest in Greenland is construed to be an interest in its mineral rich land, which has become especially accessible due to melting ice sheets. In the controversial speech around the Island, Trump also directly addressed the citizens of Greenland, and said: “We strongly support your right to determine your own future, and if you choose, we welcome you into the United States of America.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had issued a statement earlier: "In my discussions with our European partners, there has been a notable incomprehension when it comes to current statements from the USA regarding the principle of the inviolability of borders," Scholz said.
Danish Defence Minister, Trouls Lund, also reacted to Trump's statement. "The direction that Greenland wants to take will be decided by Greenlanders," Lund Poulsen said.
Trump has said that he wants the island for “international world security”. He also stated that he is working with everyone who can help him regain control over the Island.
Greenland is in the middle of elections right now, and citizens are due to cast their votes in a week.
