Since assuming office in January, Trump has expressed his intention to incorporate Greenland—a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark—into the United States, asserting that it is crucial for US security interests. This proposal has been largely dismissed by the majority of Greenland’s residents.
On Thursday, March 13, U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed his intention to acquire Greenland, expressing his belief that the annexation “will happen.”
“We need to negotiate a deal regarding Greenland,” the President stated while alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. He indicated that Rutte could play a “very instrumental” role in this endeavor.
“You know, Mark, we require this for international security… we have many of our preferred players operating along the coast, and we must exercise caution,” Trump remarked, alluding to China and Russia.
Since assuming office in January, Trump has expressed his desire to incorporate Greenland—a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark—into the United States, asserting that it is crucial for U.S. security interests, a notion largely dismissed by the Greenlandic populace.
The island is rich in natural resources, including essential minerals like rare earth elements, which are vital for high-tech industries, including electric vehicles and missile systems.
Rutte, caught in a challenging position, attempted to avoid any discussion regarding Greenland’s potential incorporation into the United States, stating, “I don’t want to involve NATO in that.”
Nevertheless, he acknowledged, “when it comes to the high north and the Arctic, you are absolutely correct,” Rutte added.
This marks Trump’s first comment on Greenland following the legislative elections held on the Arctic island on Tuesday. The Democratic Party, which advocates for a gradual move towards independence from Denmark and opposes Trump’s proposal, garnered approximately 30 percent of the vote, according to near-final results.
While Greenland oversees its internal affairs, foreign and defense policies remain under the jurisdiction of Copenhagen. Five out of the six major political parties support independence, although they vary in their approaches to how swiftly it should be achieved.
Do the residents of Greenland wish to become part of the United States?
A recent survey indicates that a significant majority of the island’s 57,000 inhabitants are against the idea of joining the US.
The poll, carried out by the Danish newspaper Berlingske in collaboration with the Greenlandic outlet Sermitsiaq, showed that an overwhelming 85 percent of participants oppose the prospect of US control over their territory.
Additionally, over 56 percent of those surveyed expressed their intention to vote for Greenlandic independence in a potential referendum. However, 45 percent indicated they would not support independence if it were to adversely affect their quality of life.
