Greenland’s PM has raised eyebrows with a new push for the island’s future, as President-elect Donald Trump seeks a US takeover.
Greenland Prime Minister Múte Egede recently declared his intentions for the island’s future, stating taking major steps to gain independence from Denmark is “necessary”.
Mr Egede’s remarks, which follow a December 22 post on Truth Social by US President-elect Donald Trump advocating for the “ownership and control” of Greenland, focused on the basis of secession from Denmark.
Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. Picture: Supplied
US President-elect Donald Trump. Picture: Eva Marie Uzcategui/Getty Images/AFP
“The upcoming new election period must, together with the citizens, create these new steps, based on the foundations that have already been created,” Mr Egede said.
“It is about time that we ourselves take a step and shape our future, also with regard to who we will co-operate closely with, and who our trading partners will be.”
An Air Greenland flight takes off at the new airport in Nuuk. Picture: Supplied
Greenland’s PM previously insisted ‘we are not for sale’. Picture: Supplied
Mr Trump tried in his first term to buy the mineral-rich, geographically important territory in what he called a “large real estate deal”, Fox News Digital previously reported.
American interest in Greenland dates back to the 1800s.
In 1867, the State Department explored buying both Greenland and Iceland, recognising their strategic importance, Fox News reported. After World War II, Denmark turned down a $US100 million offer from President Harry Truman for the island.
Acquiring the land would mark the largest expansion of American territory in history, topping the Louisiana Purchase.
“Greenland is ours,” Mr Egede said last week. “We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must not lose our long struggle for freedom.”
Fox News Digital’s Jasmine Baehr contributed to this story
This article originally appeared on Fox News and was reproduced with permission