Greenland's leaders flatly reject US President Donald Trump's efforts to acquire control of the island, saying they want no part in being a part of America. In a statement on Friday night, Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and four other party leaders made it clear that their country wants to forge its own path.
"We don't want to be Americans, we don't want to be Danes, we want to be Greenlanders," they said in unison. This stance is a strong rebuke to Trump's repeated calls for the US to take control of Greenland, which is a semi-autonomous region within Denmark and part of NATO.
Trump has maintained that if the US doesn't acquire Greenland, Russia or China will take it over, and he doesn't want those countries as neighbors. However, his assessment has been disputed by NATO allies and Greenland itself.
In a recent statement, Trump said that if the US doesn't make a deal, it will do so "the hard way." The White House has indicated that it is considering various options, including military force, to acquire the island. But Greenland's party leaders are resolute: they want their country to decide its own future without interference from other nations.
"We must decide the future of our country ourselves," said a statement signed by Nielsen and four other party leaders. "No other country can interfere in this."
Greenlanders have long been wary of US involvement, with 85% opposing a takeover by the US, according to a recent BBC report. Most Greenlanders also favor independence from Denmark but value the subsidies, military support, and other benefits they receive.
It's unclear how NATO member countries would respond if the US decided to take control of Greenland by force or if they would come to Denmark's aid. Former Danish ambassador Michael Zilmer-Johns has called Trump's ambitions "an affront to an ally that has stood up with the US in various conflicts around the world."
In a bid to calm tensions, officials from Denmark, Greenland, and the US met in Washington last week to discuss the renewed push for control of the island. They will meet again next week to continue the talks.
"We don't want to be Americans, we don't want to be Danes, we want to be Greenlanders," they said in unison. This stance is a strong rebuke to Trump's repeated calls for the US to take control of Greenland, which is a semi-autonomous region within Denmark and part of NATO.
Trump has maintained that if the US doesn't acquire Greenland, Russia or China will take it over, and he doesn't want those countries as neighbors. However, his assessment has been disputed by NATO allies and Greenland itself.
In a recent statement, Trump said that if the US doesn't make a deal, it will do so "the hard way." The White House has indicated that it is considering various options, including military force, to acquire the island. But Greenland's party leaders are resolute: they want their country to decide its own future without interference from other nations.
"We must decide the future of our country ourselves," said a statement signed by Nielsen and four other party leaders. "No other country can interfere in this."
Greenlanders have long been wary of US involvement, with 85% opposing a takeover by the US, according to a recent BBC report. Most Greenlanders also favor independence from Denmark but value the subsidies, military support, and other benefits they receive.
It's unclear how NATO member countries would respond if the US decided to take control of Greenland by force or if they would come to Denmark's aid. Former Danish ambassador Michael Zilmer-Johns has called Trump's ambitions "an affront to an ally that has stood up with the US in various conflicts around the world."
In a bid to calm tensions, officials from Denmark, Greenland, and the US met in Washington last week to discuss the renewed push for control of the island. They will meet again next week to continue the talks.
, i mean trump thinks he can just swoop in and take over greenland like it's a trophy or something? newsflash don't wanna be us americans, we're good 
, and by the way 85% of greenlanders are straight up against it too 
, that's some serious resistance. i get why trump is all worried about china and russia getting their hands on the island but like, can't he just chill 
?
Trump is just trying to flex his muscles again, but it's not gonna work. The people of Greenland are smart enough to see through all the threats and intimidation. And honestly, I think it's kind of cool that they're standing up for themselves like this. It's not about being "Greenlanders" or whatever, it's just about being proud of who you are and where you come from. 
... I mean, can't they see that just 'acquiring' an entire island is like buying a used car without even testing it first? 
It's all just one big power struggle between nations and no one's really thinking about the long-term effects. Greenland's got its own identity and wants to keep it, and who are we to judge? 
! Greenland's leaders are literally saying "nope we don't wanna be America's backyard" and I am HERE FOR IT 
i mean it's not like they're trying to get all cold and distant or anything, they just want to make their own decisions about their country's future. and let's be real, who can blame them? 85% of the population is already opposed to US takeover, so it's like Greenland is already doing its own thing 
anyway, I guess we'll have to wait and see how this whole thing plays out... but for now, I'm just gonna celebrate our new favorite nation state 
. But the US is still trying to muscle in, saying it'll take control if Russia/China tries to snatch it 
. Trump's all like "I don't want neighbors who are gonna be bad for me" but that's just a weak excuse 
. Greenland's all about being self-sufficient and making their own decisions, which is pretty cool 
. This whole situation has got me on edge 
gotta say, trump's all over this like a bad rash lol what's next? us trying to buy australia or somethin? 
anyway, i dont get why trumps so keen on gettin control of greenland. does he even know how they feel about it? theyre not gonna just roll over and let him take their country over. didnt the bbc report show that like 85% of greenlanders are against us takin control? 
this is getting serious, what if trump's got military force lined up? 
gotta keep denmark & greenland safe from that kinda mess 
meanwhile, i wonder how china would react if us tries to snatch their neighbor... 
. It's about time Denmark and NATO stood up to him too 
think it's pretty bold move by Trump trying to take over Greenland 
. Denmark's got a point in saying this is an affront to their ally 
. One thing for sure, Greenland's gov't is showing some serious spine 
meanwhile denmark is like "hey, we got this, we've been managing our danish territories for centuries" 
85% of greenlanders are clearly smart enough to see through trump's bluff but honestly who can blame them for being paranoid? usa has a history of meddling in other countries' affairs... it's not like they're the only ones with a massive military budget 
. anyway, it's clear that the people of greenland r all about bein independent and makin their own decisions 
. i think it's kinda cool that nato members are speakin out against this tho, they gotta stand up for their allies