Greenland caught between Trump’s annexation threats, road to independence

Greenland has been thrust into a geopolitical storm as US President Donald Trump revives his controversial push to bring the vast Arctic island under American control — a move that has alarmed Europe, angered Denmark and complicated Greenland’s own long-running quest for independence.

While Trump argues that the United States needs the strategically located, resource-rich territory for national security, both Denmark and Greenland have firmly rejected the idea. Opinion polls show Greenlanders overwhelmingly oppose US control, even as a strong majority supports eventual independence from Denmark, Caliber.Az cites a piece by CNBC.

The White House has confirmed that Trump and his national security team are “actively” discussing a potential offer to buy Greenland and that, while diplomacy is preferred, all options — including military force — are on the table.

“For many years, the majority of Greenlanders have been fighting for our right to represent ourselves,” Aaja Chemnitz, a pro-independence MP and one of two Greenlandic lawmakers in the Danish parliament, told CNBC by video call. “We say nothing about us without us — and that’s why it’s important for us to still fight for making sure that we have even more autonomy in the time to come.”

Chemnitz said the “US used to be a very close ally just a year ago,” and that Greenlanders wanted to “make sure that we’re not dehumanized, which I think we have been in this whole situation.”

“Greenland never has been for sale and never will be for sale,” she added. “The people are resilient. And I think it’s important to remember that, of course, you can’t buy a country, but you can also not buy a population.”

Greenland gained expanded self-rule under the 2009 Self-Government Act, which also grants it the right to hold an independence referendum. Denmark, however, still controls foreign policy, defense and security. Lawmakers in Nuuk presented a draft constitution in 2023, though there are no immediate plans to adopt it.

Most Greenlandic parties support independence in principle, but differ on timing and strategy. The debate is complicated by Greenland’s heavy economic dependence on Denmark, particularly to fund healthcare, education and other welfare services.

Last year, then-Prime Minister Múte Egede said it was time to take the next step toward independence. His successor, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, favors a more gradual approach. Chemnitz said independence remains a long-term goal, given the need to be on “good economic terms” to preserve living standards.

Trump’s renewed interest has triggered a sharp response in Copenhagen. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that a US attack on Greenland would effectively spell the end of NATO. The issue has further unsettled Europe, coming just days after a US military operation in Venezuela on January 3.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on January 7 that he plans to hold talks with Danish officials about the island.

Clayton Allen of Eurasia Group told CNBC that independence movements are common in externally governed territories, but warned that US pressure could backfire.

“Put simply, I don’t know that people are going to want to trade one foreign power for another. If you want to be independent, you want to be independent,” he said.

Otto Svendsen of the Center for Strategic and International Studies said the independence movement has existed for decades and that Denmark has pledged to respect any referendum result.

He added that in Nuuk there is concern Trump’s push could actually weaken the cause, because “one of the best cards up the sleeves of the government in Nuuk is to rely on the deterrent value of Denmark.”

By Sabin Mammadli