The main political parties of Greenland published a joint statement to condemn Donald Trump’s “unacceptable behavior” after the American president seemed to degenerate his campaign to take over the island.
The unit demonstration has seen all the parties of parties of the Inattesisartut – Parliament – release a joint message saying that they “cannot accept repeated declarations on the annexation and control of Greenland”.
He followed a meeting between Trump and the secretary general of NATO, Mark Rutte, where the president seemed to double his annexation plan.
The joint declaration of Greenland was orchestrated by the outgoing Prime Minister Mute B egede, whose party was defeated Tuesday during an election.
“Our country will never be the United States and we, the Greenlanders, will never be Americans,” wrote Egede on Facebook. “Do not continue to treat us with disrespect. Just enough.”
Greenland – The largest island in the world, between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans – was controlled by Denmark, at almost 3,000 km (1,860 miles), for about 300 years.
Greenland governs its own internal affairs, but decisions on foreign and defense policy are taken in Copenhagen.
The United States has long been in interest in security on the island. There is a military base since the Second World War, and Trump probably also wants minerals of rare earths that could be extracted.
Greenland was already on the defensive of Trump’s annexing conversation, but its comments to Rutte to the White House sent other shock waves when it has suggested that NATO help may be necessary to grab the island.
“You know, Mark, we need this for international security … We have a lot of our favorite players navigating the coast, and we have to be careful,” said Trump.
“We will talk to you,” he added.
Asked about the annexation perspective, Trump said: “I think it will happen.”
Rutte was criticized both in Greenland and Denmark so as not to reprimand Trump. Instead, he said that he “would leave this (problem) outside … I don’t want to drag NATO in that”.
He then pivoted to rent – something that several world leaders used when they deal with Donald Trump – saying that he was “completely right” that the security of the Arctic must be maintained.
THE joint declaration Greenland politicians stressed that they were united in their perspective against Trump’s plan.
“Greenland continues work for Greenland,” the statement said.
“We all support this effort and we were strongly at the distance from attempts to create discord.”
Their decision to express themselves took place three days after the elections during which the central right opposition – the Democratic Party – won a surprise victory.
Its leader, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who is likely to be the new Prime Minister of Greenland, is now negotiating with other parties to form a coalition.