Greenland is ready to talk.
In response Monday to the diplomatic earthquake triggered last week by President-elect Donald J. Trump, who thought about taking over On this massive island in the Arctic Ocean, Greenland’s prime minister said his territory would like to work more closely with the United States on defense and natural resources.
“The reality is that we are going to work with the United States – yesterday, today and tomorrow,” Prime Minister Múte Egede said at a news conference in Nuuk, Greenland’s small frozen capital.
But he was firm: the Greenlanders did not want to become Americans.
“We have to act very intelligently,” he said, adding: “The power struggles between the superpowers are intensifying and are now knocking on our door.”
Mr. Trump refused to rule out the use of economic or military force reconquering the Panama Canal and taking Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark that he offered to buy during his first term. Then as now, Greenland and Denmark declared that the island was not for sale. Panamanian leaders also rejected this threat.
Mr. Egede said Monday that “we were all shocked” by Mr. Trump’s comments, compounded by the surprising and somewhat mysterious visit by the president-elect’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr.on the island the same day.
The young Mr. Trump made a lightning-fast sightseeing trip, claiming he was on private business, and since then, headlines around the world have been Greenland’s headlines.
Most of Greenland’s territory is covered in ice, only about 56,000 people live there, and until recently the island was best known for its icebergs and polar bears. As climate change melts Arctic ice, the region is quietly falling into the crosshairs of world powers.
The United States, Russia, European countries, China and others are interested in Arctic shipping lanes and vast mineral resources that are no longer considered out of reach.
The island has been linked to Denmark for centuries, first as a colony and now as a separate territory having gained a large degree of autonomy in recent years. Denmark still controls the island’s foreign affairs and defense policy.
But the renewed interest of international powers goes hand in hand with Greenland’s quest for independence, and this desire has only grown stronger. At the same time, many people here are reluctant to completely cut ties with Denmark because of the hundreds of millions of dollars in subsidies that Denmark provides each year.
In Nuuk, in sunny zero-degree Fahrenheit weather Monday afternoon, many people waited impatiently to hear what the prime minister would say.
“Whatever happens, there’s no going back,” said Aviaq Kleist, owner of a cafe at Nuuk Center, the city’s largest shopping center, which has a few dozen stores. She joked that perhaps Mr Egede would suddenly declare independence.
Mr Egede did not – he circled around the issue, saying the country was working steadily towards this goal but “different parties have different views”. (There is also a clear independence process that involves a referendum, if applicable.)
The Prime Minister also expressed relief at comments made by JD Vance, the new vice president, on a Fox News show this weekend. Although Mr. Vance did not exactly rule out military force, saying, “We don’t need to use military force” because “we already have troops in Greenland,” his tone was optimistic as he spoke of Greenland’s “incredible natural resources.” and “a deal to be made.”
The United States has been interested in Greenland for years. During World War II they established bases there, and after the war they attempted to buy Greenland from Denmark, which refused. Today, the US military leads the Pituffik Space Basespecialized in anti-missile defense, at the northern end of the island.
In Nuuk on Monday, people appeared to be on the same page as the prime minister, expressing a mix of hope and caution. Many said they did not want to be swallowed up by the United States. But they wanted a stronger partnership with America.
“What we really need is more cooperation and trade,” said Nielseeraq Berthelsen, a fisherman. He worked in an ice-encrusted seafood market, selling chunks of whale skin and bright red seal meat.
He said he was walking through another mall last week when someone approached him out of the blue and invited him to a special dinner.
The next thing he knew, he said, he was shaking hands with the younger Mr. Trump.
“He had a lot of enthusiasm,” said Mr. Berthelsen, who stood in such cold air that his eyes watered as he spoke. “He had good energy.”
Ivik Kristiansen contributed reporting.