President Trump had a particular message on Tuesday evening for the “unimaginable folks of Greenland,” whose island he has repeatedly expressed curiosity in buying — via a purchase order or by drive.
“We strongly assist your proper to find out your personal future,” he mentioned, briefly pausing throughout a speech to Congress to deal with Greenlanders immediately. Then, with a assured nod, he added, “We’ll make you wealthy.”
Some members of Congress responded with a mixture of applause, murmurs — and some smiles. Greenlanders weren’t so enthused.
“It’s as much as us whether or not we grow to be wealthy,” mentioned Pele Broberg, the chief of certainly one of Greenland’s main political events.
Mr. Trump has been speaking about buying Greenland, a big island within the Arctic Ocean, since his first time period, however this was the primary time he addressed the island’s 56,000 residents so immediately and prominently.
“It’s a really small inhabitants however very, very giant piece of land and really, essential for army safety,” he advised lawmakers.
And, he added, “I feel we’re going to get it — in some way, we’re going to get it.”
Mr. Trump’s feedback — and his open need to acquire Greenland — come simply because the island is weighing an unrelated choice about its personal sovereignty. Denmark colonized Greenland 300 years in the past, and whereas it has devolved some authority to the island during the last half century, it nonetheless controls key elements of the island’s governance.
Subsequent week, Greenlanders will vote in a parliamentary election that could possibly be one of the vital decisive of their historical past. A number of main Greenlandic politicians have brazenly referred to as for independence, however the tempo — and even the understanding — of that course of will rely upon the election’s final result. Some events are pushing for swift motion, whereas others assist a extra gradual strategy or not severing ties with Denmark in any respect.
“It’s simply utterly wild,” mentioned Nino Bronlund, a pupil trainer, about Mr. Trump’s declare that America would “get” Greenland.
“It’s solely about cash and safety,” he mentioned, talking as he was strolling to highschool within the capital, Nuuk. “I don’t prefer it.”
Anne-Katrine Nielsen, a senior assistant at Greenland’s police drive, mentioned she was additionally shocked by Mr. Trump’s speech.
“He doesn’t care in regards to the folks,” she mentioned. “He’s solely after our uranium, our mines and our strategic location on this planet. We’re proper in the midst of every little thing, so I imagine that’s what he desires.”
Greenland has enormous untapped resources, together with uncommon earth minerals which might be important to high-tech industries and have attracted feverish geopolitical competitors. Vice President JD Vance has spoken of Greenland’s “unimaginable pure assets,” and Republican senators lately held a listening to on “Greenland’s Geostrategic Importance.” However excessive climate, fired-up environmentalists and different elements have tempered hopes of a bonanza.
Throughout his first time period, Mr. Trump floated the concept of the USA shopping for Greenland from Denmark, which basically mentioned no method. This time round, Mr. Trump has taken a harsher tone, saying that he wouldn’t rule out utilizing drive to take over the island.
Greenlanders on Wednesday mentioned they have been getting sick of listening to this.
“He mentioned, ‘Come what may, we can have it,’ and each single Greenlander will struggle with every little thing we’ve to guarantee that doesn’t occur,” mentioned Pipaluk Lynge-Rasmussen, the chairwoman of the parliament’s overseas coverage and safety committee. “We now have mentioned it earlier than, and we’re saying it once more: We wish to govern ourselves.”
