Greenland PM: ‘We Don’t Want To Be Americans … But We Want A Strong Cooperation’

Greenland Prime Minister Múte Egede responded to President-elect Donald Trump’s aspirations to acquire Greenland, telling Fox News on Thursday that he’s “open” to discussions over America’s role in Greenland’s defense but added that they are not interested in becoming Americans.

Egede was interviewed by Fox News host Bret Baier and asked about Trump’s repeated comments about Greenland becoming “part” of the U.S. Greenland, currently an autonomous territory of Denmark, is home to just over 56,000 people and potentially rich in minerals and oil. It is also strategically located between the U.S. and Russia.

“We don’t want to be Danes. We don’t even want to be Americans. We want to be Greenlanders,” Egede said.

Earlier this month, Egede announced at a press conference that it’s “time to take the next step” and pursue independence.

“Our cooperation with other countries, and our trade relations, cannot continue to take place solely through Denmark,” he remarked.

During his interview on Fox News, the prime minister emphasized the importance of Greenland’s partnership with NATO and the U.S., adding that he has no interest in becoming part of the U.S. as Trump has suggested.

“We will always be a part of NATO. We will always be a strong partner for the U.S.,” Egede said. “We are close neighbors. We have been incorporated in the last 80 years. And I think the future has a lot to offer, to cooperate with. But we want to also be clear, we don’t want to be Americans. We don’t want to be a part of the U.S., but we want strong cooperation together with the U.S.”

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A key part of that cooperation, according to Egede, is keeping the U.S. military presence in Greenland, adding that it’s “especially” important “for your national security, and your national security is our security.”

Trump said last week that Greenland would “benefit tremendously” by becoming part of the U.S. The president-elect also shared a video of a man in Greenland putting on a “Make America Great Again” hat and urging him to “buy Greenland” because it no longer wants to be controlled by the Danish government.

Trump wrote alongside the video, “I am hearing that the people of Greenland are ‘MAGA.’ My son, Don Jr, and various representatives, will be traveling there to visit some of the most magnificent areas and sights. Greenland is an incredible place, and the people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our Nation. We will protect it, and cherish it, from a very vicious outside World. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!”

Donald Trump Jr. traveled to Greenland’s capital city of Nuuk for a short visit last week. Trump Jr. said the excursion was just “a very long personal day trip” and had nothing to do with “buying Greenland.”

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