Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Egede said on Monday (13) that the country is trying to strengthen its defense and mining ties with the United States, but on its own terms. The declaration comes after US President-elect Donald Trump showed renewed interest in the Danish territory.
Trump, who will take office on January 20, last week revived an idea floated during his first term to acquire the strategically important, mineral-rich Arctic island, and described US control of Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, as an “absolute necessity”.
Egede said his government was looking for ways to cooperate with the United States and was ready to start a dialogue with the new Trump administration, but emphasized that it would be up to him to decide how to proceed.
Asked at a news conference in Nuuk on Monday about the expansion of US military capabilities on the vast Arctic island, Egede said: “Greenland’s independence is Greenland’s business, also in relation to the use of its lands, therefore also it is Greenland that will decide what agreement we must reach.”
Egede called the leaders of Greenland’s political parties to a meeting in Nuuk, the capital, to discuss a .
“This is the first time that Greenland is being heard intensively. We need to stay calm, make the most of things and stay together,” he said.
Although Trump did not rule out the possible use of military or economic means last week, US Vice President-elect JD Vance, speaking to Fox News on Sunday (12), ruled out the use of military force, although he highlighted the strategic importance of Greenland and its rich resources.
“It was worrying when we first heard this. But the vice president said yesterday that they have no interest in using weapons. Our interest is cooperation,” said Egede.
