Greenland PM says island not a bit of property after Trump threats

[ad_1] Greenland's new prime minister has mentioned the island will not be a "piece of property that may be purchased", in response to Donald Trump's repeated requires the US to take management of the autonomous Danish territory.

On a go to to Copenhagen on Sunday, Jens-Frederick Nielsen mentioned Greenland and Denmark should stand collectively within the face of "disrespectful" US rhetoric.

He was talking alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in what has been considered as one other present of unity between the 2 leaders.

In an extra symbolic gesture, Nielsen is because of return to Greenland on Monday with Denmark's King Frederik, who will start his four-day royal go to to the island.

"We'll by no means, ever be a bit of property that may be purchased by anybody, and that is the message I feel is most vital to grasp," mentioned Nielsen, who turned Greenland's prime minister this April.

He added that Greenland and Denmark wanted to maneuver nearer collectively in mild of the brand new overseas coverage state of affairs.

Trump has triggered outrage in each Denmark and Greenland for repeatedly saying he desires to carry the Arctic island below US management.

Throughout a speech to Congress in March, Trump mentioned that management of Greenland was important "for nationwide safety and worldwide safety".

He has floated the concept of shopping for the island and has beforehand refused to rule out utilizing navy power, although US Vice-President JD Vance mentioned final month: "We don't assume that navy power is ever going to be essential."

Regardless of their criticism of Trump's phrases, each Nielsen and Frederiksen on Sunday mentioned they'd be prepared to fulfill the US president for talks.

Nielsen additionally reiterated that Greenland was ready to deepen ties with the US, saying: "We're prepared for a powerful partnership and extra growth, however we would like respect."

Nielsen's go to to Denmark follows Frederiksen's personal journey to Greenland earlier this month.

"You possibly can't annex different international locations," was her message for the US president on the time.

It adopted Vance's whirlwind go to to the territory, extensively criticised in each Denmark and Greenland, through which he reiterated Trump's ambitions and claimed Copenhagen had "not achieved a superb job" for Greenlanders.

Greenland, the world's largest island, has been managed by Denmark for about 300 years. The island governs its personal home affairs, however overseas and defence coverage selections are made in Copenhagen.

The US has lengthy had a safety curiosity within the island. It has had a navy base there since World Struggle Two, and Trump can also have an curiosity within the uncommon earth minerals that may very well be mined.

Polls present that the overwhelming majority of Greenlanders need to develop into unbiased from Denmark however don't want to develop into a part of the US.

Shaped in March, Greenland's new coalition authorities is led by Nielsen's centre-right Democrats celebration, which favours a gradual method to independence.