Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said on Monday that the Danish government understands the United States' legitimate security interests in the Arctic region, but does not want to hand over Greenland as President-elect Donald Trump is demanding. He said he was still not interested.
“We agree that the American people have certain concerns about the security situation in the Arctic, which we share. We stand ready to work closely and continue discussions with the next President of the United States.” Rasmussen said.
“I don't want any controversy with President-elect Trump,” he said. added. “He has a certain way of putting together his demands, and what we're doing right now is having a more detailed conversation with the president-elect.”
Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede made similar remarks at a press conference in Copenhagen on Monday. Egede said He was willing to hold a “dialogue” with President Trump on security and economic issues, but insisted that “Greenland's independence is Greenland's job.”
“Greenland will decide what kind of agreement to reach,” he said.
Egede was feeling a little prickly last week. declare The statement that Greenland “is not for sale and will never be sold” had much better humor on Monday. He said he was pretty excited that the territory he controlled would be the center of the world's attention for a while.
“This is the first time that Greenland is being listened to with great enthusiasm. We need to remain calm, take advantage of the situation and unite.”
Egede announced Sunday that Greenland's political party leaders will meet on Tuesday to develop a unified response to the next U.S. president.
“We must also remember that we have international cooperation and agreements with the United States that we rely on and need to develop further. We are allies, and that is our starting point. ” said Egede. said.
Egede updated her Facebook page on Friday and declared: We don't want to be Americans. We want to be Greenlanders. ”
Greenland's Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt, whose official title is Minister of Independence and Foreign Affairs, suggested that U.S. interest could help Greenland achieve its long-standing goal of independence from Denmark.
“We are open to more constructive cooperation with our closest neighbors on the path to Greenlandic independence,” she said. “Greenland looks forward to discussing potential business cooperation and the development of Greenland's minerals sector, including critical minerals and other related areas, with the United States.”
“Greenland recognizes the changing security dynamics in the Arctic. We understand and recognize that Greenland plays a critical and important role for the national security interests of the United States. ” she said.
Several other prominent Greenlanders suggested that President Trump's pressure could backfire and bring Greenland and Denmark closer together.
Aja Chemnitz, one of Greenland's two representatives in Denmark's parliament, said last week that most Greenlanders find President Trump's determination to take power “very scary and uncomfortable.” “There is,” he said. She said she was in close contact with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen to coordinate the response.
“Right now, close dialogue between Greenland and Denmark is important. It's also important to be very calm and think about how we can make smart decisions,” she said.
“Greenland is not and never will be MAGA,” she declared.
In contrast to Chemnitz, Greenland's public broadcaster Kalaarit Nunata Radioa (KNR) had no problems. find Some locals were eager to join the United States, or at least thought it would be a good thing for Danes to stop taking Danes for granted.
“The United States is more attractive. Everything is getting more and more expensive here,” said one Greenlander.
“I don't fully trust the Danes. Maybe I can trust Trump more,” mused another.
More than a dozen House Republicans spoke out on Monday in a move that was sure to leave Mr. Chemnitz gnashing his teeth. introduced The bill, called the “Make Greenland Great Again Act,” would authorize President Trump to begin negotiations with Denmark to purchase Greenland.
“Joe Biden has seriously damaged our reputation over the past four years, but even before President Trump took office, he was telling the world that America First is back. America’s economic and security interests can no longer take a backseat. House Republicans stand ready to support President Trump in his efforts to serve the American people,” said sponsor Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.).
