The renewed call comes after US President-elect Donald Trump expressed interest in purchasing the island again.
Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede has renewed his calls for independence from Denmark following US President-elect Donald Trump’s repeated interest in purchasing the Arctic island.
In his New Year’s speech, Egede highlighted the need to “remove obstacles to cooperation –which we can describe as the shackles of the colonial period –and move forward.” indicating a possible referendum on independence.
“Our cooperation with other countries and our trade relations cannot continue to be carried out solely through Denmark.” said. “Work has already begun on creating the framework for Greenland to be an independent state.”
Greenland, the world’s largest island with a population of around 56,000, has been an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark since 1979, managing its internal affairs while Copenhagen oversees foreign and defense policies.
The island has the legal right to declare its independence, but concerns remain regarding economic sustainability, as Greenland’s economy is heavily dependent on fishing and annual subsidies from Denmark, which make up around two-thirds of your budget. A 2016 poll indicated that 64% of Greenlanders were in favor of complete independence. However, a 2017 survey revealed that 78% expressed opposition if this led to a decline in living standards.
The president-elect of the United States stated in a December post on Social Reality that “For the purposes of national security and freedom throughout the world, the United States considers the ownership and management of Greenland to be an absolute necessity.”
During his first term, Trump repeatedly expressed his intention to purchase Greenland, referring to the possible purchase as “a great real estate business.” Their renewed interest has been met with firm rejection from both Greenlandic and Danish officials.
“Greenland is ours. “We are not for sale and we never will be.” Egede stated unequivocally in December. Comparably, Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen dismissed the proposal, emphasizing that Greenland is not on the market.
Shortly after Trump’s post, Denmark announced plans to reinforce its military presence in the region and in Greenland. Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen revealed a defense package exceeding $1.5 billion aimed at improving surveillance and security in the area. This initiative includes the deployment of patrol vessels, long-range drones and additional personnel for the Arctic Command.
“We have not invested enough in the Arctic for many years; “We are now planning a stronger presence,” Poulsen said, calling the timing of the announcement a “irony of fate.”
Greenland’s strategic importance has increased due to its abundant natural resources, such as rare earth minerals, and its key location in the Arctic, which is becoming increasingly accessible due to climate change. The Arctic’s potential for resource extraction and new shipping routes has attracted global interest, particularly from Russia, China and the United States.
The upcoming parliamentary elections in Greenland, scheduled for before April 6, 2025, are expected to play a key role in determining the island’s path forward. “It is necessary to take important steps… The next electoral period must, together with citizens, create these new steps.” Egede said.
