Greenland seeks ways to cooperate with US, but on its own terms
The decision on how to act will be made by the Greenlandic government (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
Greenland seeks to strengthen ties with the US but on its own terms. Specifically, this relates to the defense and mining industries, states Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede.
According to him, the government is exploring ways to cooperate with the US and is ready to start a dialogue with the new Trump administration. However, Egede emphasized that the decision on how to proceed will be made by the Greenlandic government. Specifically, during a press conference in Nuuk on Monday, he was asked about the expansion of the US military presence on the island, to which Egede responded as follows:
"Greenland's independence is Greenland's business, also in relation to the use of its land, so it is also Greenland that will decide what agreement we should come to," said the head of the Greenlandic government.
Reuters reports that on Monday, Egede convened party leaders in the capital to discuss a collective approach to US interests.
"This is the first time Greenland has been listened to in an intense way. We need to be calm and take advantage of things and stand together," the Prime Minister added.
The agency noted that last week, US President-elect Donald Trump did not rule out the potential use of military or economic means to gain control over Greenland. However, on Sunday, Vice President-elect JD Vance, speaking on Fox News, dismissed the possibility of using military force, though he emphasized the island's strategic importance and its rich resources.
"It was worrying when we first heard it. But the vice president said yesterday that they have no interest in using weapons. Our interest is in cooperation," Egede said.
Reuters reported that Trump’s Republican allies introduced a bill titled "Make Greenland Great Again" for the purchase of Greenland.
If it is supported by the US House of Representatives, the law would allow Trump to begin the relevant negotiations as early as January 20 - the day he takes office as President of the US.
