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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.<\/p>\n
On a visit to Copenhagen on Sunday, Jens-Frederik Nielsen said Greenland and Denmark must stand together in the face of “disrespectful” US rhetoric.<\/p>\n
He was speaking alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in what has been viewed as another show of unity between the two leaders.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
He added that Greenland and Denmark needed to move closer together in light of the new foreign policy situation.<\/p>\n
Trump has caused outrage in both Denmark and Greenland for repeatedly saying he wants to bring the Arctic island under US control.<\/p>\n
During a speech to Congress in March, Trump said that control of Greenland was essential “for national security and international security”.<\/p>\n
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.” <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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.”<\/p>\n
Nielsen’s visit to Denmark follows Frederiksen’s own trip to Greenland earlier this month<\/a>. <\/p>\n “You can’t annex other countries,” was her message for the US president at the time.<\/p>\n