’It can’t be bought’: Greenland rejects U.S. acquisition speculation

Amid growing global attention on Greenland’s sovereignty, residents and leaders of the Arctic island have firmly rejected U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's remarks about potentially using military or economic measures to control the territory.

Greenland’s residents and leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to the island’s sovereignty, following remarks by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump suggesting that military or economic action could be used to gain control of the Arctic territory.

In the capital city of Nuuk, locals expressed their views on the matter. Niels Nielsen, a resident of Nuuk, responded to the speculation by emphasizing the long-standing union between Greenland and Denmark. "We have been together in a union for 300 years. We don't need to talk about that stuff," he said, adding, "Denmark, of course," when asked which nation Greenland prefers.

Mikael Ludvidsen, another Nuuk resident, highlighted the island's current lack of independence and readiness to choose new partners, stating, "We are not ready here in Greenland, we are not independent either."

Jens Ostermann, however, stressed Greenland's potential for greater influence, suggesting that the island's future partnerships should involve a "great power" due to its wealth and strategic significance. "Greenland is so big, Denmark doesn't matter a lot to me," he stated, pointing out that "there are so many great powers in the world" today.

Despite being a part of Denmark for over 600 years, Greenland governs its own domestic affairs with a degree of autonomy. Prime Minister Mute Egede has repeatedly voiced support for eventual independence, stressing that Greenland is not for sale.

While tensions over Greenland’s future have grown, particularly due to colonial-era grievances, Denmark maintains that any decision about the island’s future should be made by Greenlanders. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen stated that although Greenland could pursue independence if its people choose, the possibility of it becoming a U.S. state remains unlikely.

As Greenland's leadership and residents continue to navigate their path forward, the island’s strategic importance and aspirations for self-determination are increasingly in the spotlight.

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