All five political parties in Greenland’s parliament have issued a rare joint statement rejecting US President Donald Trump’s threats to take control of the Arctic island, according to Greenlandic national broadcaster KNR.
“We will not be Americans, we will not be Danes, we are Greenlanders,” the leaders declared in a statement released last night.
The five party leaders, including Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen, said they “strongly oppose” any US takeover of Greenland and condemned recent American statements as “extremely disrespectful”.
The unity is particularly significant as it includes Pele Broberg, the leader of opposition party Naleraq, which has been the most open to closer ties with Washington.
Just days ago, Mr Broberg called for Greenland to bypass Denmark and negotiate directly with the US.
The statement emphasises that Greenland’s future “must be decided by the Greenlandic people themselves” and calls for respect for “international law and the right to self-determination”.
It comes as President Trump has intensified his rhetoric following last week’s US military operation in Venezuela.
Mr Trump said the US needs to own the territory to prevent Russia or China from occupying it
In an interview with the New York Times, Mr Trump said US ownership of Greenland was “psychologically needed for success”. He refused to rule out the use of military force.
He said the US needs to own the territory to prevent Russia or China from occupying it, adding that existing military agreements are not sufficient and that full ownership is necessary to guarantee the island’s defence.
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The US already has extensive military rights in Greenland under a 1951 agreement with Denmark, including a major space base.
The Greenlandic leaders said dialogue with all countries must be based on “mutual respect” and called for “equality and partnership”, warning that “no countries, big or small, can change” Greenland’s right to determine its own future.