Greenland’s Prime Minister Múte Egede has firmly rejected President-elect Donald Trump’s suggestion that the U.S. should own the island, stressing that Greenland will never be for sale. His comments came after Trump made a controversial statement on social media regarding the importance of controlling Greenland for U.S. national security.
The Hill reported that Egede’s remarks came in response to Trump’s recent appointment of Ken Howery as U.S. ambassador to Denmark, where the president-elect argued that owning Greenland is crucial for U.S. national security and global freedom.
Greenland, an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark, is not for sale, according to Egede, who reiterated the island's commitment to its sovereignty.
Trump’s interest in Greenland is not new. Back in 2019, he raised the possibility of buying the island, citing its strategic location in the Arctic.
His previous suggestion to swap Puerto Rico for Greenland was swiftly dismissed by Danish officials, who made it clear that Greenland was not for sale.
On Monday, Prime Minister Múte Egede issued a strong response to Trump’s recent comments. “Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale,” he said. He further emphasized the importance of not losing the island’s long struggle for freedom, a struggle that has shaped its identity and governance.
Trump’s comments about Greenland came after his announcement of Ken Howery as the new ambassador to Denmark.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump described Greenland’s ownership as “an absolute necessity” for U.S. national security and global freedom. He continued to stress the strategic value of the island, which lies in the Arctic—a region of growing geopolitical significance.
Greenland, which enjoys a high degree of autonomy as part of the Kingdom of Denmark, has repeatedly rejected any foreign attempts to control or buy the island. It is governed by its own parliament and prime minister, with foreign relations and defense still under the purview of Denmark.
The idea of selling Greenland has been met with skepticism and resistance from Denmark as well. In 2019, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called Trump’s proposal “absurd.” She firmly stated, “Greenland is not Danish. Greenland is Greenlandic,” emphasizing that the island belongs to its people and not to any other country.
Trump’s earlier suggestion to exchange Puerto Rico for Greenland further strained U.S.-Denmark relations. Frederiksen’s comments were clear: Greenland’s sovereignty is non-negotiable. While Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, it maintains a distinct and independent political status.
Prime Minister Egede's recent remarks underscore Greenland's steadfast commitment to its autonomy.
“We must not lose our long struggle for freedom,” he said, reaffirming the island's dedication to self-determination. Greenland’s leaders are determined that the future of the island will be decided by its people, not by foreign powers.
Despite the strategic importance of Greenland in the Arctic, which has attracted attention from several global powers, including the U.S., the island has consistently resisted any proposals that would alter its status. The rejection of Trump’s comments serves as a reaffirmation of Greenland's political independence and its sovereignty over its own territory.
Trump’s comments on Greenland also echo his broader concerns about national security, particularly regarding the U.S. position in the Arctic.
The region is becoming increasingly important due to climate change and the opening of new shipping routes, which have made Greenland's location more strategically significant. However, Greenland’s leadership has made it clear that its land is not for sale, despite these geopolitical pressures.
International reactions to Trump’s statements have been mixed. While Denmark’s government has already voiced strong opposition, countries like Russia and China, which are also interested in Arctic resources, have yet to respond directly to Trump’s comments. Nevertheless, Greenland’s resolve remains firm.
Looking to the future, Greenland faces growing interest from countries around the world, but its leadership is focused on maintaining its autonomy.
The island’s location and resources make it a valuable asset in the context of global politics, but Greenland has made it clear that its sovereignty is non-negotiable.
The U.S. continues to emphasize the strategic importance of Greenland, but it is unlikely that Greenland's government will entertain any further proposals to alter its political status. As the Arctic becomes increasingly vital in global geopolitics, Greenland’s leadership will continue to resist any efforts to compromise its independence.
