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Greenland PM says island not a piece of property after Trump threats | Greenland PM says island not a piece of property after Trump threats |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen was speaking alongside Danish PM Mette Frederiksen on a visit to Denmark | |
Greenland's new prime minister has said the island is not a "piece of property that can be bought", in response to Donald Trump's repeated calls for the US to take control of the autonomous Danish territory. | Greenland's new prime minister has said the island is not a "piece of property that can be bought", in response to Donald Trump's repeated calls for the US to take control of the autonomous Danish territory. |
On a visit to Copenhagen on Sunday, Jens-Frederik Nielsen said Greenland and Denmark must stand together in the face of "disrespectful" US rhetoric. | |
He was speaking alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in what has been viewed as another show of unity between the two leaders. | He was speaking alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in what has been viewed as another show of unity between the two leaders. |
In a further symbolic gesture, Nielsen is due to return to Greenland on Monday with Denmark's King Frederik, who will begin his four-day royal visit to the island. | In a further symbolic gesture, Nielsen is due to return to Greenland on Monday with Denmark's King Frederik, who will begin his four-day royal visit to the island. |
"We will never, ever be a piece of property that can be bought by anyone, and that's the message I think is most important to understand," said Nielsen, who became Greenland's prime minister this April. | "We will never, ever be a piece of property that can be bought by anyone, and that's the message I think is most important to understand," said Nielsen, who became Greenland's prime minister this April. |
He added that Greenland and Denmark needed to move closer together in light of the new foreign policy situation. | He added that Greenland and Denmark needed to move closer together in light of the new foreign policy situation. |
Trump has caused outrage in both Denmark and Greenland for repeatedly saying he wants to bring the Arctic island under US control. | Trump has caused outrage in both Denmark and Greenland for repeatedly saying he wants to bring the Arctic island under US control. |
During a speech to Congress in March, Trump said that control of Greenland was essential "for national security and international security". | During a speech to Congress in March, Trump said that control of Greenland was essential "for national security and international security". |
He has floated the idea of buying the island and has previously refused to rule out using military force, though US Vice-President JD Vance said last month: "We do not think that military force is ever going to be necessary." | He has floated the idea of buying the island and has previously refused to rule out using military force, though US Vice-President JD Vance said last month: "We do not think that military force is ever going to be necessary." |
Despite their criticism of Trump's words, both Nielsen and Frederiksen on Sunday said they would be willing to meet the US president for talks. | Despite their criticism of Trump's words, both Nielsen and Frederiksen on Sunday said they would be willing to meet the US president for talks. |
Nielsen also reiterated that Greenland was prepared to deepen ties with the US, saying: "We are ready for a strong partnership and more development, but we want respect." | Nielsen also reiterated that Greenland was prepared to deepen ties with the US, saying: "We are ready for a strong partnership and more development, but we want respect." |
Nielsen's visit to Denmark follows Frederiksen's own trip to Greenland earlier this month. | Nielsen's visit to Denmark follows Frederiksen's own trip to Greenland earlier this month. |
"You can't annex other countries," was her message for the US president at the time. | "You can't annex other countries," was her message for the US president at the time. |
It followed Vance's whirlwind visit to the territory, widely criticised in both Denmark and Greenland, in which he reiterated Trump's ambitions and claimed Copenhagen had "not done a good job" for Greenlanders. | It followed Vance's whirlwind visit to the territory, widely criticised in both Denmark and Greenland, in which he reiterated Trump's ambitions and claimed Copenhagen had "not done a good job" for Greenlanders. |
Greenland, the world's largest island, has been controlled by Denmark for about 300 years. The island governs its own domestic affairs, but foreign and defence policy decisions are made in Copenhagen. | Greenland, the world's largest island, has been controlled by Denmark for about 300 years. The island governs its own domestic affairs, but foreign and defence policy decisions are made in Copenhagen. |
The US has long had a security interest in the island. It has had a military base there since World War Two, and Trump may also have an interest in the rare earth minerals that could be mined. | The US has long had a security interest in the island. It has had a military base there since World War Two, and Trump may also have an interest in the rare earth minerals that could be mined. |
Polls show that the vast majority of Greenlanders want to become independent from Denmark but do not wish to become part of the US. | Polls show that the vast majority of Greenlanders want to become independent from Denmark but do not wish to become part of the US. |
Formed in March, Greenland's new coalition government is led by Nielsen's centre-right Democrats party, which favours a gradual approach to independence. | Formed in March, Greenland's new coalition government is led by Nielsen's centre-right Democrats party, which favours a gradual approach to independence. |
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