The people of Greenland do not want to become American, Mia Chemnitz tells the BBC. We are not for sale. The 32-year-old business owner in the Greenlandic capital Nuuk reflects the sentiments of many who spoke to the BBC about recent rhetoric from the Trump administration.
The White House has stated it was actively discussing an offer to purchase Greenland, historically a Danish territory. U.S. President Donald Trump and his officials have even implied a willingness to use force if necessary, alarming many Greenlanders across the world’s largest island.
Nervousness has surged among Greenlanders, particularly following a recent U.S. military operation in Venezuela that raised fears of similar actions in their homeland. Tupaarnaq Kopeck, who moved to Canada, noted, For the first time, I contacted my sister in Greenland and told her that if the unthinkable ever became reality, they would have a place to stay with us.
Aaja Chemnitz, a proponent in Denmark's parliament representing Greenland, described the comments from the Trump administration as a clear threat, expressing her disappointment over such disrespectful attitudes from a nation viewed as an ally.
Greenland, sparsely populated, holds strategic significance due to its geographic location and abundant natural resources now becoming accessible due to climate change. As climate impacts mount, the value of Greenland's resources intensifies, igniting international interest.
As editor of the Greenlandic newspaper Sermitsiaq, Masaana Egede reflected, It's not fun being 56,000 people and having these threats from a giant like the U.S.
With a territory largely self-governing and a preference for eventual independence from Denmark, many residents resign themselves to the threats of foreign acquisition. Aleqatsiaq Peary, an Inuit hunter, captured the sentiment regarding potential U.S. ownership: It would be switching from one master to another, from one occupier to another.
Despite a strong connection to the U.S., especially with longstanding military bases in Greenland, the populace craves sovereignty over their land and governance. Christian Keldsen of the Greenland Business Association commented, People in Greenland are getting really irritated with this.
Unyielding in their stance, Greenlandic voices will continue to echo their undeniable right to self-determination amidst political machinations aimed at securing their territory.
