Greenland’s Prime Minister, Mute Egede, has expressed openness to strengthening ties with the United States, particularly in mining, as the Arctic territory navigates its future amid growing global attention.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Egede emphasized the need for economic collaboration with the U.S., Greenlandic broadcaster KNR reported.
“We need to do business with the US. We have begun to start a dialogue and seek opportunities for cooperation with [Donald] Trump,” Egede stated, adding that Greenland’s “doors [are] open in terms of mining.”
However, Egede made it clear that closer cooperation would not include ceding sovereignty. “It is the Greenlandic people who decide their future,” he said, reiterating Greenland’s desire for independence from Denmark. “We don’t want to be Danes. We don’t want to be Americans. Of course, we want to be Greenlanders.”
The remarks come after U.S. President-elect Donald Trump sparked controversy by refusing to rule out military intervention to bring Greenland and the Panama Canal under U.S. control. Trump’s vice president-elect, JD Vance, noted in a Fox News interview that the U.S. already has a military presence in Greenland at Thule Air Base in the northwest, emphasizing its strategic importance.
Greenland, which boasts untapped reserves of minerals and oil, has banned uranium and oil exploration. Despite these restrictions, the prospect of accessing Greenland’s resources has drawn U.S. interest. Trump’s allies in Congress are reportedly circulating a bill to authorize talks for the purchase of Greenland, reviving an idea Trump floated in 2019 during his first term—a proposal swiftly rejected by both Greenland and Denmark.
Egede, speaking during a recent visit to Denmark, described Greenland as “entering a new era… where Greenland is in the centre of the world.” While cooperation with the U.S. is on the agenda, Egede stressed that any agreements must respect Greenland’s autonomy and long-term vision.
Greenland’s strategic location and resource potential make it a key player in Arctic geopolitics, but its leadership remains focused on securing partnerships that align with its aspirations for independence and self-determination.
