Greenland’s new prime minister has mentioned the island is just not a “piece of property that may be purchased”, in response to Donald Trump’s repeated requires the US to take management of the autonomous Danish territory.
On a go to to Copenhagen on Sunday, Jens-Frederik Nielsen mentioned Greenland and Denmark should stand collectively within the face of “disrespectful” US rhetoric.
He was talking alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in what has been seen as one other present of unity between the 2 leaders.
In an extra symbolic gesture, Nielsen is because of return to Greenland on Monday with Denmark’s King Frederik, who will start his four-day royal go to to the island.
“We are going to by no means, ever be a chunk of property that may be purchased by anybody, and that is the message I believe is most vital to know,” mentioned Nielsen, who grew to become Greenland’s prime minister this April.
He added that Greenland and Denmark wanted to maneuver nearer collectively in gentle of the brand new overseas coverage state of affairs.
Trump has induced outrage in each Denmark and Greenland for repeatedly saying he desires to deliver the Arctic island beneath US management.
Throughout a speech to Congress in March, Trump mentioned that management of Greenland was important “for nationwide safety and worldwide safety”.
He has floated the concept of shopping for the island and has beforehand refused to rule out utilizing army power, although US Vice-President JD Vance mentioned final month: “We don’t suppose that army power is ever going to be essential.”
Regardless of their criticism of Trump’s phrases, each Nielsen and Frederiksen on Sunday mentioned they might be prepared to fulfill the US president for talks.
Nielsen additionally reiterated that Greenland was ready to deepen ties with the US, saying: “We’re prepared for a powerful partnership and extra improvement, however we wish respect.”
Nielsen’s go to to Denmark follows Frederiksen’s own trip to Greenland earlier this month.
“You possibly can’t annex different international locations,” was her message for the US president on the time.
It adopted Vance’s whirlwind visit to the territory, extensively criticised in each Denmark and Greenland, by which he reiterated Trump’s ambitions and claimed Copenhagen had “not carried out an excellent job” for Greenlanders.
Greenland, the world’s largest island, has been managed by Denmark for about 300 years. The island governs its personal home affairs, however overseas and defence coverage choices are made in Copenhagen.
The US has lengthy had a safety curiosity within the island. It has had a army base there since World Warfare Two, and Trump might also have an curiosity within the uncommon earth minerals that may very well be mined.
Polls present that the overwhelming majority of Greenlanders wish to grow to be impartial from Denmark however don’t want to grow to be a part of the US.
Shaped in March, Greenland’s new coalition authorities is led by Nielsen’s centre-right Democrats get together, which favours a gradual method to independence.
