NUUK,
Greenland’s political parties have strongly rejected renewed remarks by US President Donald Trump suggesting the United States could use force to take control of the Arctic territory, saying the island’s future must be decided solely by its own people.
In a joint statement issued late on Friday, leaders of five parties represented in Greenland’s parliament said they did not wish to become part of the United States or remain under Danish control.
“We don’t want to be Americans, we don’t want to be Danish, we want to be Greenlanders,” the statement said. “The future of Greenland must be decided by Greenlanders.”
The response followed comments by Trump, who said Washington was “going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not”, renewing a long-running dispute over the mineral-rich territory, which is an autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Greenland, the world’s largest island, has controlled its domestic affairs since gaining self-rule in 2009, while Denmark retains authority over defence and foreign policy. The island has a population of about 56,000 and occupies a strategically important position between North America and Europe.
Trump has repeatedly argued that US control of Greenland is essential for national security, citing increased military activity by Russia and China in the Arctic. On Friday, he said the United States would act to prevent either country from gaining influence over the territory.
“We’re not going to have Russia or China occupy Greenland,” Trump said. “That’s what they’re going to do if we don’t. So, we’re going to be doing something with Greenland, either the nice way or the more difficult way.”
While Russia and China have expanded their Arctic presence in recent years through military exercises, research activity and infrastructure development, neither country has laid any territorial claim to Greenland.
Denmark and several European allies have reacted with alarm to Trump’s remarks. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that any attempt to seize Greenland would undermine the transatlantic alliance and the post-Second World War security order.
She said such an action would end “everything”, referring to NATO’s collective defence framework and long-standing cooperation between the United States and Europe.
Trump, however, downplayed Denmark’s objections, despite the country being a close US ally and a NATO member. He also questioned Denmark’s historical claim to the island.
“I’m a fan of Denmark,” he said. “They’ve been very nice to me. But the fact that they had a boat land there 500 years ago doesn’t mean that they own the land.”
The United States already maintains a military presence in Greenland through the Pituffik Space Base, formerly Thule Air Base, which plays a key role in missile defence and space surveillance.
Greenland’s leaders have consistently said they are open to cooperation with international partners, including the United States, but only on the basis of respect for their autonomy and right to self-determination. Many political parties support eventual independence from Denmark, though they say any move must come through democratic means and economic preparedness.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to meet Denmark’s foreign minister and representatives from Greenland next week, as diplomatic efforts continue to ease tensions over the issue.
