Open for business, but not annexation
10 January 2025
Listening to incoming US president Donald Trump can feel like a fever dream. This week, this was especially true for the people of Greenland, the self-governing country in the Danish commonwealth, which Trump wishes to purchase for national security reasons, something he also expressed interest in back in 2019.
His first offer wasn’t taken particularly seriously, and when we reported in November that the upcoming Trump administration would be out to woo the world’s largest island, we certainly didn’t see it coming that he would go on to refuse ruling out using military force to annex Greenland during a press conference in case the US cannot buy the country.
In response to Trump’s statement on Tuesday, Greenlandic prime minister Mùte B. Egede told Greenlandic public broadcaster KNR that the announcements were “worrying” and that “it is necessary that we as a nation do not act hastily,” acknowledging the worries expressed by many Greenlanders. Egede had also already repeated that “Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders” and “our future and fight for independence is our business.”
As a cherry on top, Trump also said he’s considering imposing a special tariff on Danish goods if Denmark tries to prevent a sale (despite the fact that Denmark is not in a position to sell Greenland). His son, Donald Trump Jr., also made a private four-hour visit to Nuuk on Tuesday, handing out “Make America Great Again” caps and inviting around 30 Greenlanders to lunch, which featured a video call with the senior Trump.
Egede and other Greenlanders have repeated that Greenland is ‘not for sale, but rather open for business’, and interested in exploring how to increase collaboration with other countries, including the US. Among the many reactions to Trump’s desire for ownership, Aaja Chemnitz, a Greenlandic member of the Danish parliament, called Trump’s approach “disrespectful.”
 | Amalie Holmgaard Mersh The incoming president's border threats towards a fellow NATO member have further fuelled debates about Greenland's independence, with experts suggesting the US's interest could strengthen Greenland's position in negotiations with Denmark for increased independence, particularly amidst tensions over past and present injustices like the coil campaign and forced adoptions. The past week also sparked intense debate in Denmark, with the government affirming Greenland's right to self-determination while facing opposition criticism for a muted response to Trump's threats. Denmark is now facing pressure from Greenlandic politicians to increase its focus on Greenland's security, including its two vital subsea data cables, a topic also highlighted as a necessity by an expert. |
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