‘Not For Sale’: Greenland Seeks Independence from Denmark, Rebuffs U.S. Purchase
By Jake Beardslee ·
January 4, 2025
In a significant development affecting Arctic geopolitics, Greenland's Prime Minister Múte Egede has announced a comprehensive initiative toward achieving independence from Denmark, a move that coincides with renewed interest from President-elect Trump in acquiring the strategic territory. U.S. Department of State / Wikimedia
During his New Year's address, Egede detailed the legal groundwork for independence through the existing Self-Government Act framework. "The Greenlandic people's opportunity for independence has been adopted through the provisions of the Self-Government Act, thereby creating a legal basis for how independence can be achieved," Egede stated, adding that preliminary work on a draft constitution has already commenced. U.S. Department of State / Wikimedia
On December 22, Trump posted on Truth Social that "for purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity." Joe Rondone/The Arizona Republic via the USA TODAY Network / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Egede's response to Trump's proposal was forceful: "Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must not lose our long struggle for freedom." This marks the second time Greenland has had to rebuff American purchase attempts under Trump's leadership. European Union / Wikimedia
The Prime Minister's New Year's speech emphasized substantial infrastructure developments that would support greater autonomy. Central to these developments is the opening of a new international airport that will enable direct access to Greenland from other countries, bypassing the current requirement to route through Denmark. NASA / Wikimedia
Egede highlighted this development as a crucial step toward independent governance, stating, "In the coming summer, it will now be possible to reach us directly from other countries, without first traveling via Denmark, it will therefore be possible for us to develop and govern our country more independently." U.S. Department of State from United States / Wikimedia
Egede outlined plans for additional airports in Ilulissat and Qaqortoq, describing them as vital components of an "improved" and "flexible" infrastructure system designed to enhance both tourism and trade capabilities. These developments represent concrete steps toward reducing dependency on Danish infrastructure and establishing more direct international connections. patano / Wikimedia
