Denmark's prime minister discussed the Greenland issue with Trump
Greenland itself should decide on independence. This was stated to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen during a telephone conversation on January 15.
"In the conversation, the Prime Minister referred to Prime Minister Mute Egede's statements that Greenland is not for sale <...> and it is up to Greenland itself to decide on independence," the Danish Prime Minister' s Office said.
In addition, the parties in the 45-minute dialogue emphasized the importance of strengthening security in the Arctic and touched on the Ukrainian conflict, the situation in the Middle East and relations with China.
Trump said that for the US "ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity" on December 22, 2024, announcing the appointment of an ambassador to Denmark. He had previously expressed interest in buying Greenland from Denmark in 2019, but was turned down. This coming year, Trump was also indicated that the island was not for sale and would not be sold, but Denmark could cooperate more with the U.S.
Later on January 10, Trump posted a video on the social media network Truth Social of Greenlanders asking him to buy the island. Reacting to this, Danish media said the participants in the video were vulnerable citizens bribed with a hotel dinner.
On the same day, Egede reminded that Greenland is part of the North American continent and the United States sees it as a kind of "backyard" where the defense of the entire continent will be carried out.
Then, on January 13, it was reported that Republican Party representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives put forward a bill to authorize negotiations to buy Greenland. At the same time, Egede said that the citizens of Greenland should have control over the island and choose their own future.
