Greenland's Prime Minister, Múte Egede, powerfully rejected the suggestions of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to take control of the island, emphasizing Greenland's quest for independence.
Egede stated: “We don’t want to be Danish, we don’t want to be Americans, we want to be Greenlandese.” The Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, recognised Greenland's independency aspirations as “reasonable and understandable”, while stressing the benefits of the unity of the kingdom.
Trump had a fewer days earlier suggested the anticipation of utilizing military force to take control of Greenland, which was met with concern both in Greenland and Denmark. Egede stressed that the future of the island should be shaped by its inhabitants and Greenland is not for sale. The islanders expressed shock and disorientation of Trump's statements, advocating greater autonomy, but opposed to US takeover.
Greenland, the largest island in the world, has long sought to increase autonomy and eventual independency from the Kingdom of Denmark. The first settlement in Greenland dates to the 10th century, erstwhile the east coast was settled by Vikings from Iceland. However, since about 2500 B.C.E., various Arctic cultures have appeared on the island. In the 18th century, Denmark began colonization of Greenland, and in 1814, by virtue of the Treaty of Kilican, the island became officially part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
In the 20th century Greenland began to prosecute greater autonomy. In 1953, the position of the island from the colony was changed to an integral part of Denmark, which active representation in the Danish parliament. However, in 1979, a self-government law was introduced, which granted Greenland broad autonomy in many areas, but abroad affairs and defence. In 2009, after the referendum, the Extended Self-government Act was introduced, which gave Greenland control of justice, police and natural resources.
In fresh years, the independency movement in Greenland has increased. Many Greenlandese view full independency as a natural step in the process of decoloning and recovering national identity. However, the way to independency faces many challenges, both internally and externally.
Greenland has rich natural resources specified as minerals, oil and natural gas. The exploitation of these resources could be the basis of an independent economy. However, hard climatic conditions, deficiency of infrastructure and environmental concerns are major obstacles. Currently, Greenland's economy is mainly based on fisheries and grants from Denmark, which account for a crucial part of the island's budget.
Greenlandic society is diverse in terms of views on independence. The younger generation is more likely to advocate full sovereignty, while older residents fear destabilizing and deteriorating surviving conditions. Furthermore, the issue of national identity and language plays a key function in the debate on independence.
Denmark officially supports Greenland's efforts to self-determine, but full island independency would affect the geopolitical interests of Denmark in the Arctic. In addition, Greenland would gotta negociate its place in global organisations specified as the UN or WTO, and establish fresh relations with its neighbours, especially Canada and the United States.
