The United States made previous offers to purchase Greenland, first in 1867 and again in 1946.
President-elect Donald Trump said on Dec. 22 that U.S. control and ownership of Greenland is “an absolute necessity” for “national security and freedom throughout the world.”
His comments came as he announced PayPal co-founder and former Trump administration U.S. Ambassador to Sweden Ken Howery as his nominee for U.S. ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark.
Trump commended Howery for his role in leading efforts to increase defense, security, and economic cooperation between the United States and Sweden and said he would do a wonderful job in representing the interests of the United States to Denmark.
Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede has replied to Trump’s comment on Monday.
“Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must not lose our long struggle for freedom,” Egede said in a statement.
The Epoch Times has reached out to Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Foreign Affairs in Greenland for comment.
During his first term, Trump expressed interest in purchasing the strategically located, resource-rich island, which is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark. Greenland has faced long-standing financial challenges.
“Essentially it’s a large real estate deal. A lot of things can be done. It’s hurting Denmark very badly because they’re losing almost $700 million a year carrying it,” Trump said at the time. “So, they carry it at [a] great loss, and strategically for the United States, it would be nice. And, we’re a big ally of Denmark and we help Denmark, and we protect Denmark.”
The United States made previous offers to purchase Greenland, first in 1867 and again in 1946 under President Harry Truman. Denmark declined each time.
“Greenland is rich in valuable resources such as minerals, the purest water and ice, fish stocks, seafood, renewable energy, and is a new frontier for adventure tourism,” the Department of Foreign Affairs in Greenland told Trump in 2019. “We’re open for business, not for sale.”
By Melanie Sun
