Donald Trump has received a stark warning from Greenland’s leaders amid concerns he might attempt to invade the territory.
Following his bold claim that he would secure control of Greenland “one way or another” during his State of the Union address, Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Bourup Egede took to Facebook with a direct message for the US President: “Greenland is ours.”
He asserted, “Kalaallit Nunaat is ours,” using the local name for Greenland and emphasised, “We don’t want to be Americans, nor Danes, we are Kalaallit. The Americans and their leader must understand that. We are not for sale and cannot simply be taken. Our future will be decided by us in Greenland.”
His defiant post was punctuated with a clenched fist emoji and the flag of Greenland.
In Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, where temperatures plunged to -20C, residents took Trump’s words seriously. Since Trump’s tenure at the White House began, he has repeatedly hinted at acquiring Greenland, reports the Mirror.
Lisa Aardestrup, 18, expressed to the Associated Press her concern that becoming part of the US could harm Greenland’s environment and its vital fishing industry, which accounts for around 90% of the nation’s exports. “We feel like it’s a bad idea, and we just more want to be like our little island that’s more independent than anything else,” she stated.
Although most polls indicate that the majority of Greenlanders reject the idea of joining the US, there are some voices of dissent.
Yulao Sandkreen expressed optimism about Mr Trump’s proposition for the territory, stating: “We need McDonald’s. We need everything.”
Currently, the territory is a self-governing region within the Kingdom of Denmark and an independence movement has been gaining momentum since it was granted more autonomy. Approximately 56,000 people reside on the island, which is situated off the north-eastern coast of Canada and is closer to Washington DC than Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital.
“We strongly support your right to determine your own future, and if you choose, we welcome you into the United States of America,” Trump declared. “We will keep you safe. We will make you rich. And together we will take Greenland to heights like you have never thought possible before.”
However, Mr Trump’s message to the Greenlanders carried imperialistic undertones when he stated that the US would acquire the territory “one way or another. “
Mr Trump has previously made assertive remarks about seizing control of overseas territories, such as the Gaza Strip. He once proposed relocating Palestinians from the area and transforming it into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
Mr Trump also announced plans to regain control of the Panama Canal, a profitable shipping route that was handed over to Panama during Jimmy Carter’s administration in the 70s.
The US President often framed his warnings as a means to boost America’s defence capabilities. His remarks about Greenland followed a similar vein, stating: “We need it really for international world security. And I think we’re going to get it. One way or the other, we’re going to get it. “.