Synopsis
Denmark has firmly rejected US President Trump's attempts to include Greenland in the US, reiterating that its future is for the Greenlandic people to decide. Trump's remarks have sparked strong responses from Danish leaders, emphasizing Greenland's autonomy and identity.Key Takeaways
- Denmark opposes Trump's push for Greenland's annexation.
- Greenland's future is solely for its people to determine.
- Prime Minister Egede emphasizes Greenland's identity.
- Greenland was a Danish colony until 1953.
- Home rule was granted to Greenland in 1979.
Oslo, March 6 (NationPress) Denmark has firmly rejected the renewed attempts by US President Donald Trump to incorporate Greenland into the United States, following his statements made during a joint session of Congress two days ago.
Trump announced on Wednesday that his administration would "strongly support" the Greenlanders' "right to determine" their own future, adding: "And if you choose, we welcome you into the United States of America."
In light of the confusion triggered by Trump's remarks, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reiterated Denmark's stance on Wednesday, highlighting that the future of Greenland is a matter for its own people to decide.
"Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders. This is a position that we very strongly support from the Danish government," she stated.
Greenlandic Prime Minister Mute Egede categorically dismissed Trump's assertion, expressing on social media that Greenlanders have no interest in joining the US.
Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen resonated with this view, asserting that Greenland will never become a part of the United States.
"It is not, and it will never be, the case that the United States can dictate and get a part of the Danish Kingdom," he declared.
Greenland, the largest island globally, has a population of approximately 60,000 and was a Danish colony until 1953 when it became an integral part of Denmark, with Greenlanders acquiring Danish citizenship.
In 1979, Greenland was granted home rule, achieving greater self-governance, while Denmark maintained control over its foreign and defense policy.
This is not the first instance of Trump expressing interest in acquiring Greenland. Denmark has consistently rejected this notion, asserting that the island is not for sale.
Prime Minister Egede remarked on Wednesday that the Greenlandic people will chart their own course and do not wish to be Danes or Americans.
Egede responded to Trump, who on Tuesday reiterated his desire to make Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, part of the United States.
"We do not want to be Americans, nor Danes, we are Kalaallit (Greenlanders). The Americans and their leader must understand that," Egede posted on Facebook.
