Greenland’s Prime Minister, Mute Egede, said on Friday that he is open to talking with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Trump has said he wants the U.S. to control Greenland, calling it an “absolute necessity.” He even suggested using military or economic pressure, like tariffs, against Denmark.
When asked if he had spoken to Trump, Egede said, “No, but we are ready to talk.” Meanwhile, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said she had asked for a meeting with Trump but didn’t think it would happen before his January 20 inauguration.
Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark with 57,000 people, was a colony of Denmark until 1953. In 2009, it gained the right to become independent through a vote. The U.S. also has a military base in Greenland due to its strategic location.
Egede stressed Greenland’s wish for independence, saying, “We want to control our own future. This should be respected.” However, he also said that Greenland still values its relationship with Denmark. Independence has become more popular in Greenland in recent years.
