Media: Greenland's PM slams Trump for disrespecting islanders amid acquisition talks

Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Egede has criticised US President Donald Trump for failing to show respect to the residents of Greenland, following his renewed interest in acquiring the mineral-rich Arctic island.

Trump had reiterated his desire to purchase Greenland in his address to Congress on March 4, presenting the idea as a potential opportunity for prosperity and safety for the "incredible people" of the autonomous Danish territory, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

He further expressed his position on Truth Social, stating: "We will continue to keep you safe, as we have since World War II. We are ready to invest billions of dollars to create new jobs and make you rich."

However, Egede responded strongly, stating, "We deserve to be treated with respect, and I don't think the US president has done that recently since he took office."

The prime minister also suggested that Trump's actions had led to growing discontent among Greenlanders, adding, "I think that the recent things the American president has been doing means that people don't want to get as close to [the US] as they might have wanted in the past."

Ahead of Greenland's general election, Egede further emphasised the need to prioritise relationships with countries that show respect toward Greenland, saying, "We need to draw a line in the sand and put more effort into [cultivating relations with] the countries that show us respect for the future we want to build." 

A strong advocate for Greenland's full independence, Egede reiterated that the island, which has a population of just 57,000, belongs to its people and should have the right to decide its own future. While Greenland boasts rich reserves of minerals, oil, and natural gas, its economy remains heavily reliant on fishing and subsidies from Denmark. 

During his March 4 address to Congress, President Trump reaffirmed his interest in acquiring Greenland, the self-governing territory of Denmark, stating that Washington would gain control of the island "one way or another."

On March 11, Greenland will hold parliamentary elections amid growing pressure from the US and an increasing desire for independence from Denmark among its residents. Recent pre-election polls conducted by the Verian research company and regional media outlets show that 85 per cent of respondents oppose becoming part of the US, 6 per cent are in favor, and 9 per cent remain undecided.

Additionally, 40 per cent of those surveyed are against the possibility of Greenland joining the European Union, while 60 per cent support such a move. These figures mirror the results of similar surveys conducted in 2021. However, compared to 2021, there has been a slight decline in the percentage of support for pro-independence parties—from 80 per cent to 69 per cent.

By Naila Huseynova