President-elect Donald Trump’s recent remarks about using economic sanctions or even military force to gain U.S. control of Greenland have sparked widespread reactions. Denmark, backed by nations like Germany and France, has strongly defended the island’s territorial integrity. Yet little attention has been paid to the people of Greenland, who have long called for one thing: to be left alone.
A recurring interest in Greenland. This marks the fifth time the U.S. has approached Denmark about buying Greenland, which it administers. The first attempts in 1867 and 1940 failed, as did another after World War II. In 2019, during Trump’s presidency, the idea resurfaced but was largely dismissed by Greenlanders and Denmark.
Trump’s latest assertion—that U.S. control of Greenland is an “absolute necessity” for national security—has struck a different tone. Many Greenlanders view the proposal as a threat to their identity and autonomy. For decades, most of the island’s residents have sought self-determination.
Local resistance. According to The New York Times, Greenlanders’ reaction to Trump’s comments was nearly unanimous. Christian Ulloriaq Jeppesen, a radio producer and local resident, described the situation as “terrifying.” Many see their island not as a commodity for sale but as a nation with its own identity.
International leaders, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, have condemned Trump’s suggestions of annexation, including his mention of military force, and affirmed Greenland’s territorial integrity.
A resource-rich prize. Greenland’s appeal lies in its vast natural resources, including cobalt, copper, and nickel, and its strategic Arctic location. As climate change opens new sea routes, Greenland becomes increasingly vital for global trade and security.
The island also hosts a significant U.S. military base, adding to its geopolitical importance. For Trump, control of Greenland represents a strategic advantage in the Arctic, especially amid growing competition with China and Russia.
Calls for independence. Greenlanders, however, resist becoming part of any nation. Trump’s renewed interest comes at a time when many on the island express dissatisfaction with Danish rule.
Greenland has been under Danish administration since the 18th century, though it gained limited self-government in 1979 and expanded autonomy in 2009. Despite this, it remains reliant on Denmark for essential services and receives about $500 million in annual subsidies.
Tensions have deepened since revelations that Danish doctors implanted contraceptive devices in thousands of Indigenous women during the 1960s and 1970s, often without consent.
Balancing identity and benefits. Despite strained relations, many Greenlanders appreciate the benefits of Denmark’s welfare system, which includes free education, universal health care, and subsidies.
Aviaaja Sandgren, a nurse from Qaqortoq, told The New York Times that Greenlanders could lose these essential services if the island joined the U.S. Aaja Chemnitz, a Greenlandic representative in the Danish parliament, warned that Trump might exploit Greenland’s independence movement for geopolitical leverage, putting the island at risk.
The struggle for self-determination. Greenland has a long history of colonization and cultural assimilation under Danish rule. During World War II, the U.S. established military bases on the island to prevent Nazi occupation. After the war, the U.S. attempted to buy Greenland again, but Denmark refused.
While Greenland’s autonomy has grown, full independence remains challenging due to its small population of 56,000 and its economic dependence on Denmark. The U.S. still maintains a significant military presence at Pituffik Air Base, established in 1941, to monitor Russian activity.
Looking ahead. Although Trump’s suggestion of “invading” Greenland may be implausible, the island’s future is uncertain. Its economic reliance on Denmark and limited regional defense capabilities make full independence a complex process.
Prime Minister Múte B. Egede recently announced Greenland’s readiness to take steps toward self-determination. The upcoming local elections in April could serve as an implicit referendum on the island’s constitutional future.
Image | Visit Greenland (Unsplash)
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