Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has vowed that the Arctic territory will never be sold, amid concerns over its sovereignty following President Donald Trump’s expressed desire to annex the island.
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has made it clear that the Arctic territory will never be a ‘piece of property‘ to be bought, as he met with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Denmark. This statement comes after President Donald Trump expressed his desire to annex Greenland, sparking concerns about the island’s independence.
Greenland's sovereignty has been a topic of debate for centuries.
Historically, the island was inhabited by the Inuit people before being colonized by Denmark-Norway in 1814.
The Danish government granted home rule to Greenland in 1979, but Denmark maintained control over foreign affairs and defense.
Today, Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with its own parliament and government.
However, there are ongoing discussions about Greenland's future status, including potential independence or greater autonomy.
The visit by Nielsen follows one by Frederiksen to Greenland in early April, where she told the US that ‘You cannot annex another country.‘ The meeting between the two leaders was seen as a display of unity between Denmark and Greenland, which has been a semi-autonomous Danish territory since 1953. However, both countries have been trying to maintain good ties with their traditional ally while also asserting their sovereignty.
Greenland has been under Danish administration since 1814, but in 1979, the country gained home rule.
Today, Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.
The relationship between the two countries is based on a constitutional act that grants Greenland significant autonomy.
However, Denmark still provides financial support to Greenland, which accounts for about 60% of its budget.
This unique arrangement allows Greenland to maintain its independence while benefiting from Danish economic aid.
The US president has insisted that Washington needs control of Greenland for security reasons, refusing to rule out the use of force to secure it. Trump believes that Greenland is ‘important for international peace‘ and that its control is necessary to prevent a big threat to the world. However, this stance has been met with skepticism by both Denmark and Greenland.
In contrast, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has proposed that Denmark invest more in Greenland and support it financially as it takes over more responsibility of domestic affairs from Copenhagen. This move would be part of a ‘modernisation‘ of the two countries’ relationship. Both leaders have emphasized the need for increased Arctic defence collaboration with the US, but also committed to strengthening their own defence in the region.
Despite the tensions surrounding Greenland’s independence, both sides seem willing to engage in talks and strengthen their partnership. Nielsen has expressed his willingness to meet Trump for discussions, while Frederiksen has proposed a meeting between the two leaders to discuss the future of the relationship. The outcome of these negotiations remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: Greenland’s sovereignty will be a key factor in determining the course of its future.
The relationship between Greenland and the United States dates back to the early 20th century.
In 1917, Denmark granted the U.S. a lease on the Thule Air Base in northern Greenland for military defense purposes.
Today, the U.S. and Greenland cooperate on issues like climate change, Arctic security, and economic development.
The U.S. also provides financial assistance to Greenland through various programs, including the Economic Development Assistance Program.
Additionally, the two nations have a mutual understanding on the importance of protecting the Arctic environment.
