Outgoing Prime Minister Mute Egede says ‘disrespect’ for Greenland should cease as US president once more says he desires Arctic island.
Greenland’s outgoing Prime Minister Mute Egede has known as for a stronger rejection by native politicians of United States President Donald Trump’s promise to take over the strategically-located island, warning that “sufficient is sufficient”.
“This time we have to toughen our rejection of Trump. Folks can’t proceed to disrespect us,” Egede wrote on Fb after Trump reiterated on Thursday his want to annex the autonomous Danish territory.
“The American president has as soon as once more evoked the thought of annexing us. I completely can’t settle for that,” he wrote.
“I’ve subsequently requested the administration to summon the social gathering heads as quickly as attainable,” said Egede, who continues to guide Greenland whereas awaiting the formation of a brand new authorities following his social gathering’s defeat in elections on Tuesday.
Talking earlier on the White Home alongside NATO Secretary-Normal Mark Rutte, Trump doubled down on his wish to annex Greenland – an island of 57,000 individuals – saying: “I feel it’s going to occur.”
“You already know, Mark, we’d like that for worldwide safety, not simply safety – worldwide – we have now plenty of our favorite gamers cruising across the coast, and we have now to watch out,” Trump advised Rutte as they sat side-by-side within the White Home Oval Workplace for talks.
Rutte responded by saying he would depart the query of Greenland’s future to others, including, “I don’t wish to drag NATO” into the controversy. The NATO chief mentioned it ought to be a subject for international locations within the “excessive north” as a result of the Chinese language and Russians are utilizing water routes within the Arctic area.
However Trump continued, saying Denmark was refusing to debate the subject of Greenland and that he may ship extra US troops to bolster the US navy bases on the island.
In his first stint as US president from 2017-21, Trump raised the thought of shopping for Greenland – a semi-autonomous Danish territory – an thought flatly rejected by Denmark and Greenland.
“We’ve been coping with Denmark, we’ve been coping with Greenland, and we have now to do it,” Trump continued.
“We actually want it for nationwide safety. I feel that’s why NATO may need to become involved in a manner as a result of we actually want Greenland for nationwide safety. It’s essential,” Trump mentioned.
Trump then moved on to undermine Denmark’s declare to the island. “You already know, Denmark’s very far-off, and actually has nothing to do. What occurs, a ship landed there 200 years in the past or one thing? They usually say they’ve rights to it. I don’t know if that’s true. I don’t suppose it’s,” he mentioned.
Rutte refused to touch upon the difficulty when requested by a reporter within the White Home. NATO and Denmark’s embassy in Washington didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Danish politician Rasmus Jarlov took to social media after the Trump assembly with Rutte, saying that Denmark did “not appreciate” the head of NATO “joking with Trump about Greenland like this”.
“It might imply battle between two NATO international locations,” Jarlov mentioned.
“Greenland has simply voted towards speedy independence from Denmark and doesn’t wish to be American ever,” he mentioned.
We don’t recognize the Secr. Gen. of NATO joking with Trump about Greenland like this. It might imply battle between two NATO international locations. Greenland has simply voted towards speedy independence from Denmark and doesn’t wish to be American ever.pic.twitter.com/eh7enEHoA8
— Rasmus Jarlov (@RasmusJarlov) March 13, 2025
Since returning to workplace, Trump has made the annexation of Greenland a significant speaking level, and his feedback on Thursday counsel he may need NATO concerned in his try and take over the territory.
Greenland’s strategic location and wealthy mineral sources may benefit the US. It’s positioned alongside the shortest route from Europe to North America and is important for the US’s ballistic missile warning system.
In keeping with polls, most Greenlanders help independence from Denmark and reject annexation by the US.
