The leaders of all five political parties in Greenland's parliament issued a joint statement on Friday firmly rejecting President Donald Trump's renewed push for United States control over the Arctic territory. The unprecedented unified response came after weeks of mounting pressure from Washington, which has considered various options including military force to acquire the world's largest island.
Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and four other party leaders declared that Greenlanders do not wish to become Americans. The statement emphasized that Greenland's future must be decided solely by the Greenlandic people. The leaders expressed their desire for what they described as contempt from the United States toward their country to end, marking an unusually direct rebuke of American foreign policy.
President Trump escalated his rhetoric on Friday, stating he would like to make a deal to acquire Greenland using what he called the easy way. However, he warned that if diplomatic means fail, the United States would pursue the hard way, though he declined to elaborate on what that would entail. The White House has acknowledged considering a range of options, including the potential use of military force.
The joint statement was signed by Prime Minister Nielsen along with party leaders Pele Broberg, Mute B. Egede, Aleqa Hammond, and Aqqalu C. Jerimiassen. Their unified front represents parties across the political spectrum, demonstrating rare consensus in Greenlandic politics on the sovereignty issue. The statement reiterated that Greenlanders want to be Greenlanders, not Americans and not Danes.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has issued stark warnings about the implications of any American takeover attempt. She stated that such an action would mark the end of NATO, highlighting the severe diplomatic consequences that could follow. Denmark maintains responsibility for Greenland's defense, though the self-governing territory has increasingly sought greater autonomy.
Officials from Denmark, Greenland, and the United States met Thursday in Washington to discuss the White House's renewed interest in the island. A follow-up meeting is scheduled for next week when Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to meet with Denmark's foreign minister and Greenlandic representatives. The diplomatic discussions continue despite the public rejection from Greenland's leadership.
Greenland, with a population of approximately 57,000 people, does not maintain its own military and relies on Denmark for defense. The island's strategic Arctic location and vast mineral resources have made it an object of American interest since the Cold War era. Trump previously expressed interest in purchasing Greenland during his first term, a proposal that was similarly rejected at the time.
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