Denmark asserts that Greenland’s independence is feasible; however, it is unlikely that it will join the United States

Denmark’s foreign minister stated on Wednesday that Greenland may become independent if its residents desire, but it is unlikely that it will become a U.S. state. This statement was made in response to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s refusal to rule out the use of force to capture the Arctic Island.

On Wednesday, the leader of Greenland engaged in discussions with the Danish monarch in Copenhagen, a day after Trump’s statements elevated the fate of the strategically significant and mineral-rich island, which is under Danish control, to the forefront of global news.

On Tuesday, Trump, who assumes office on January 20, stated that he would not exclude the possibility of utilizing military or economic force to integrate Greenland into the United States. Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., conducted a private visit to Greenland on the same day.

Greenland, which is a member of NATO through Denmark, is of strategic importance to the U.S. military and its ballistic missile early-warning system. This is due to the fact that the shortest route from Europe to North America passes through the Arctic island.

The president-elect has declared his intention to implement a foreign policy that is more combative and does not adhere to conventional diplomatic protocols.

Greenland, the largest territory in the globe, has been a part of Denmark for 600 years. However, its 57,000 inhabitants currently manage their own domestic affairs. Prime Minister Mute Egede is the leader of the island’s administration, which is dedicated to achieving eventual independence.

“We acknowledge that Greenland has its own objectives.” Danish foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen stated that Greenland will become independent if they are realized, although it is unlikely that they will aspire to become a federal state in the United States.

He informed reporters that the United States’ elevated security concerns in the Arctic were justified in light of the increased activity of Russia and China in the region.

“I don’t think that we’re in a foreign policy crisis,” he indicated. “We are open to a dialogue with the Americans on how we can possibly cooperate even more closely than we do to ensure that the American ambitions are fulfilled.”

Nevertheless, the openly stated ambition of the returning president to expand U.S. borders has startled European allies less than two weeks before he assumes office, despite the fact that Denmark itself downplayed the seriousness of Trump’s threat to its territory.

Despite his belief that the United States would not invade, France’s foreign minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, declared that Europe would not permit other nations to attack its sovereign borders.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed astonishment at Trump’s remarks regarding Greenland and Canada, emphasizing that European partners unanimously support the inviolability of borders as a fundamental principle of international law.

CONSTRAINED RELATIONS

Allegations of maltreatment of Greenlanders during the colonial era have recently strained Greenland’s relationship with Denmark. Egede has declared that the island is not for sale, and in his New Year’s address, he intensified his advocacy for independence. According to Denmark, the fate of the territory can only be determined by Greenlanders.

On Tuesday, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed her inability to fathom that Trump’s aspirations would result in U.S. military intervention in Greenland. Denmark’s military capabilities are restricted to four inspection vessels, a Challenger surveillance aircraft, and dog sled patrols.

In response to Trump’s threat of tariffs against Denmark, which analysts at Danske Bank say could be “quite harmful to Danish companies,” Frederiksen stated that she did not believe a trade conflict with the United States was a viable course of action.

Novo Nordisk, Europe’s most valuable corporation, is headquartered in Denmark. The company is responsible for the production of Wegovy, a weight-loss medication that has gained significant popularity in the United States, the Nordic country’s largest trading partner.

The Danish royal palace did not disclose any information prior to King Frederik’s meeting with Greenland’s Prime Minister Egede in Copenhagen on Wednesday.

The monarch remains popular on the island, despite the fact that many Greenlanders aspire to independence from Denmark. He has spent prolonged periods on the island, including a four-month expedition on the ice sheet. The sovereign court recently altered its coat of arms by enlarging a polar bear that represents Greenland.

Damien Degeorges, a consultant based in Reykjavik who specializes in Greenland, stated to Reuters, “I am confident that the king is the most qualified individual in Denmark to address this matter at this time due to his extensive experience with Greenland.”

“He is exceedingly well-liked in Greenland.” Therefore, it is evident that he can be beneficial to the Danish-Greenlandic relationship.

Trump had previously addressed the possibility of the United States annexing Greenland during his inaugural presidency; however, his most recent statements continue to perplex numerous Danes.

“I find it to be quite absurd,” stated Jeppe Finne Sorenson, a data engineer based in the Danish capital. “We are allies; we have an alliance.” Therefore, this does not demonstrate sufficient regard for that.