Greenland PM strikes back at Trump: "We do not want to be Americans"
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Múte Egede holds a press conference with Denmark's Prime Minister in Copenhagen on Jan. 10 Photo: Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images
Greenland's Prime Minister Múte Egede is not entertaining President Trump's mission to take the island "one way or the other."
The big picture: Trump for years expressed a desire to control Greenland, arguing it's necessary for national security purposes, and in January refused to rule out military force to seize the world's largest island.
- During his Tuesday night address to Congress, Trump initially took a softer approach to the sale he's been itching to make: "We strongly support your right to determine your own future," he said, addressing the Greenlandic people.
- "And if you choose, we welcome you into the United States of America," he said.
- But he later added, "I think we're going to get it — one way or the other, we're going to get it. 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."
Driving the news: But Egede, once again, reminded Trump that Greenland, a largely autonomous territory of Denmark, is not for sale.
- "We do not want to be Americans, nor Danes, we are Kalaallit [Greenlanders]," Edge said in a Wednesday Facebook post, per Reuters' translation.
- "We are not for sale and cannot be taken," he wrote. "Our future is determined by us in Greenland."
Yes, but: Denmark's foreign minster took a slightly more optimistic tone, saying Trump's comment about respecting Greenlandic self-determination was "the most important part of that speech."
- "I'm very optimistic about what will be a Greenlandic decision about this. They want to loosen their ties to Denmark, we're working on that, to have a more equal relationship," Lars Løkke Rasmussen said Wednesday, according to the AP.
- He added it is critical that parliamentary elections, set to kick off next week, are free and fair "without any kind of international intervention."
What we're watching: Greenlanders will head to the polls Tuesday as Trump's comments exacerbate a push for independence.
- The territory last month announced a March 11 general election, with the island's independence at top of mind. With Trump's presence looming, Greenlandic lawmakers passed a bill last month that banned foreign or anonymous political donations.
- As climate change reshapes the Arctic, it has ramped up competition in the region among global superpowers.
- The mineral-rich territory, with its Arctic access and strategic location, is, in Trump's eyes, a key grab for the U.S. amid the race.
Go deeper: Rubio on U.S. buying Greenland: "Might as well have more control"
