Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Egede has firmly rejected the notion of American acquisition of the Arctic island, emphasizing that Greenland’s future will be determined solely by its people. His statement comes in response to President Donald Trump’s renewed interest in bringing Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, under American control.
In a strong declaration, Egede made it clear that Greenlanders do not accept external claims to their land. On Facebook, the prime minister wrote:
“Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders,” he wrote. “We are not Americans, we are not Danes because we are Greenlanders. This is what the Americans and their leaders need to understand, we cannot be bought and we cannot be ignored.”
“The future of the country will be determined by us in our country, of course,” Egede added. “Greenland is ours. We do not want to be Americans, nor Danes, we are Kalaallit. The Americans and their leaders must understand that.”
“We are not for sale and cannot be taken,” Egede said. “The future is decided by us in Greenland.”
Trump revived the discussion about U.S. interest in Greenland during a speech to Congress on Tuesday, revisiting a controversial idea he first proposed in 2019. At the time, both Greenlandic and Danish officials swiftly dismissed the prospect of a U.S. purchase, and Egede’s latest remarks reaffirm Greenland’s rejection of any such proposal.
NOW – Trump on taking Greenland: “I think we’re gonna get it—one way or the other we’re gonna get it.” pic.twitter.com/V3ZK81gRCK
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) March 5, 2025
As the island approaches its March 11 election, the issue of self-governance and potential independence from Denmark is a central focus. Public opinion surveys suggest that while most Greenlanders oppose U.S. governance, many support an eventual break from Denmark to achieve full sovereignty.
Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen acknowledged Trump’s recognition of Greenland’s right to self-determination, calling it a key takeaway from his remarks. “He said they respect the right to Greenlandic self-determination, and that, I think, was the most important part,” Rasmussen stated at a press conference in Helsinki.
