Greenland calls party leaders together for 'tougher' response to Trump's encroachments
Múte Egede, acting head of the Greenland government (Photo: facebook.com/mutebegede)
Acting Prime Minister of Greenland, Múte Egede, sharply condemned recent statements by US President Donald Trump, who reiterated his intention to take control of the island. The head of the Greenlandic government has initiated an emergency meeting of political party leaders, according to Egede's Facebook page.
"I disagree with the attempt by the US president to invade our country. Since this cannot be ignored, although I believe it is my duty as prime minister to respect the election results, I have decided to meet with party leaders as soon as possible," said the Acting Prime Minister of Greenland in a published statement.
Which statements by Trump regarding Greenland are being referred to
This is how Egede reacted to Trump’s new territorial claims regarding the island, which is an autonomous constituent country within the Kingdom of Denmark. The remarks from the US president about Greenland were made during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on March 13.
At that time, responding to journalists' questions, Trump confirmed his intention to annex Greenland.
"Well, I think it will happen. I’m just thinking, I didn’t give it much thought before, but I’m sitting with a man that could be very instrumental," he said, referring to Rutte, and added that it was necessary for international security, as many players are navigating along the coast of Greenland.
Additionally, the US president mocked Denmark's position regarding Greenland and its authority over the island.
Greenland prepares a response to Trump's territorial claims, while Denmark warns about the consequences
Reacting to such statements about the island, Egede emphasized that Greenland must take a stronger stance to limit Trump's disrespectful behavior.
"We, Greenlanders, are not fools, and Trump's disrespectful behavior should be curtailed more strictly than we have done in the past. Now, the US president has once again proposed our annexation. I cannot accept this," said the acting head of the Greenlandic government.
Egede noted that he respects the results of the local elections, which are leading to a change in the island's leadership, with Jens-Frederik Nielsen (the leader of the Demokraatit party, which won the parliamentary elections) expected to become the new Prime Minister of Greenland.
However, he added that as a public servant and head of the Greenlandic Parliament, I have asked the civil service to urgently call for a meeting with the party leaders.
"Because this time, we must intensify our rejection of Trump. You (Trump) should not continue to treat us with disrespect. Enough," he emphasized.
Furthermore, the likely new Prime Minister of Greenland, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, also rejected the territorial claims made by the American president.
"Trump's statement from the US is inappropriate and only further highlights that we must stand together in such situations," the politician wrote on his Facebook.
Additionally, the head of the Danish Parliament's Defense Committee, Rasmus Jarlov, also strongly condemned Trump's recent remarks. In a post on Twitter (X), he pointed out that an attempt to annex Greenland could lead to a war between two NATO countries.
"Greenland has just voted against immediate independence from Denmark and does not want to be American ever," Jarlov emphasized.
In his social media post, he included a video of Trump's comments regarding Greenland during a press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
We do not appreciate the Secr. Gen. of NATO joking with Trump about Greenland like this. It would mean war between two NATO countries. Greenland has just voted against immediate independence from Denmark and does not want to be American ever.pic.twitter.com/eh7enEHoA8
— Rasmus Jarlov (@RasmusJarlov) March 13, 2025
RBC-Ukraine previously reported that the leader of the Demokraatit party and the likely new Prime Minister of Greenland, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, rejected Trump's territorial claims over the island. He emphasized that Greenland seeks to be independent.
Trump's position on Greenland
Donald Trump, during his first presidential term in the US, expressed his desire to buy Greenland. After returning to the White House, he revived such discussions.
Additionally, Trump did not rule out the possibility of using force to persuade Denmark (the Arctic island is an autonomous part of the country).
As Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen emphasized, the island is not for sale. However, she acknowledged the significant interest the US has in the island.
Earlier, it was reported that Frederiksen and Trump had a conversation before the inauguration. According to Western media, Trump was aggressive and confrontational on the issue of Greenland.
Recently, during a speech in Congress, Trump declared that the US would get Greenland one way or another.
