Greenland PM says Trump 'unpredictable' amid US takeover threats

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
10 Mar 2025 14:46

Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Egede explicitly criticized US President Donald Trump after he reiterated his plans to acquire the territory.

Listen

Mute Bourup Egede, Greenland prime minister, listens to televised debates before the upcoming elections in Nuuk, Greenland, Saturday, March 8, 2025. (AP)

Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Egede has described US President Donald Trump as "very unpredictable," expressing concerns over global instability just a day before the island’s legislative elections.

"There is a world order that is faltering on many fronts—and a president of the United States who is very unpredictable—in such a way that makes people feel insecure," Egede told Danish public radio on Monday.

His remarks come as Trump clings to his desire for the US to take control of Greenland, citing national and international security reasons during a speech to Congress last week.

Greenland’s independence in focus

The prospect of Greenland’s independence from Denmark has been a central issue in Trump's election campaign.

"We strongly support your right to determine your own future and, if you choose, we welcome you into the United States of America," Trump said during his address.

He further stated that he was confident the US would acquire Greenland "one way or the other," a comment that drew laughter from Republican lawmakers—a reaction many Greenlanders perceived as disrespectful.

Egede criticized Trump’s approach, saying, "We deserve to be treated with respect and I don't think the American president has done that lately since he took office," adding that recent actions by Washington had made Greenlanders reconsider their relationship with the US, signaling a shift in bilateral ties.

‘We are Greenlanders’

Following Trump’s speech, Egede took to Facebook to reaffirm Greenland’s identity and reject external control. "Greenlanders don’t want to be Americans, or Danes either," he wrote. "We are Greenlanders."

He also stressed that Washington must recognize Greenland’s stance. "The Americans and their leader must understand that," he declared.

Greenland, which was a Danish colony until 1953, remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark but has enjoyed self-governing autonomy since 2009. This allows the territory to make independent decisions on domestic policies while Denmark retains control over foreign affairs and defense.

A poll revealed on January 31 that nearly half of Danes view the US as a significant threat to their country, with a strong majority opposing Greenland's potential departure to become part of the US.