Greenland pushes back against Trump’s proposal: "We are not for sale"

Greenland’s Prime Minister, Muthe Borup Egede, has firmly rejected US President-elect Donald Trump’s recent suggestion to buy the island.

“We are not for sale and we will not be for sale. We must not lose our long struggle for freedom," he declared, Caliber.Az reports referring to foreign media.

Egede's comments came in response to Trump’s statement on December 23, where he expressed that it was "absolutely essential" for the United States to own Greenland to secure national security and global freedoms.

In his remarks on Truth Social, Trump argued that Greenland’s strategic location, particularly in the rapidly melting Arctic, made it crucial for the US to secure control over the island. Greenland, the world’s largest island, holds significant economic value with its vast untapped mineral resources, and its position in the Arctic has become more critical as new trade routes open due to climate change.

However, Egede emphasized that Greenland remains open to international cooperation and trade, particularly with neighbouring countries. “We are ready to work with the world, especially those who share common interests in renewable energy and natural resources,” he added.

The Arctic, where Greenland is strategically located, has long been a focal point of geopolitical competition between the US, Russia, and China, with military and economic influence at stake. Trump’s comments are part of a broader US effort to increase its presence in the Arctic to counter Russia’s military buildup and China’s growing influence in the region.

This is not the first time that Greenland has been at the centre of such discussions. In 2019, during his first term, Trump made a similar offer to Denmark to buy Greenland, but the proposal was swiftly rejected by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who dismissed the idea as “absurd.”

Greenland's relationship with both the United States and Denmark is shaped by a complex mix of historical, geopolitical, and economic factors. The island, which spans over 2 million square kilometres, was colonized by Denmark in 1721 and remained part of Denmark-Norway until its separation in the 19th century. After World War II, Greenland was placed under the protection of the United States, and a US military base was established on the island in 1943 to safeguard North Atlantic interests.

In 1946, President Harry Truman made an offer to buy Greenland for $100 million in gold, citing the island's strategic importance, but Denmark rejected the proposal while allowing the US to maintain its military presence.

In 1979, Denmark granted Greenland self-governance, though Copenhagen retained control over matters such as defence, international relations, and currency. Greenland continues to assert its sovereignty, with recent discussions emphasizing its growing role in international affairs, particularly in energy and resource extraction.

By Tamilla Hasanova