Donald Trump offered to buy Greenland already during his first term in office.
Greenland stressed on Monday that it is not for sale. This is a reaction to the words of the newly elected US President Donald Trump that he wants the United States to take control of the strategic island.
Trump offered to buy out the vast territory administered by Denmark already during his first term. Over the weekend, he revived the pressure when he announced the name of a new ambassador to Copenhagen for his incoming administration.
Trump also said on Sunday that “for the purposes of national security and freedom around the world, the United States of America believes that ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity.”
Greenland is ours, the government declared
Greenlandic Prime Minister Mute Egede was quick to scupper any chance of a deal with Trump.
“Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and never will be. We must not lose our long struggle for freedom,” Egede said in a statement.
Greenland belonged to Denmark since the 19th century, but in 1979 it gained extensive autonomy, including its own parliament and government. Copenhagen currently only decides on its defense and some areas of foreign policy. Denmark currently finances more than half of its public budget.
Greenland is the largest island in the world, a large part of it is permanently covered with ice and about 55,000 inhabitants live there. The United States has a Cold War-era Qaanaaq (Thule) air base in the northwest of the island.
During his first term, Trump canceled a 2019 state trip to Denmark after the country said Greenland was not for sale. Under President Joe Biden, the United States has said it does not want a purchase, but instead seeks to strengthen ties.
