After US President Donald Trump's Greenland acquisition comments, Greenlanders see an opportunity to advocate for more self governance, while 85% oppose joining US.
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Greenland’s push for full independence has gained renewed attention following US President Donald Trump’s controversial remarks on acquiring the semi-autonomous Danish territory.
While the independence movement in Greenland sees this as a chance to advance their cause, recent polling reveals that 85% of Greenlanders oppose joining the US.
Qupanuk Olsen, Greenland’s most prominent online influencer with 1.6 million followers, has spoken out against Trump’s aggressive rhetoric. As a member of the Inuit community, which has endured over a thousand years of harsh conditions, Olsen remains defiant.
“I have chosen not to be afraid, just as I have chosen not to be scared,” she said. “We just have to figure out how to best dance with Trump. How can we make the best deal out of this? How can we turn it into something profitable or useful for our future here in Greenland? It’s a very colonial mindset to think that if Denmark no longer has Greenland, the US will just take it. It’s colonisers talking another coloniser. We are human beings.”
Speaking from the Greenland capital of Nuuk, Euronews correspondent Shona Murray highlighted the nuanced aspirations of Greenlanders. “While the vast majority don’t see their future as being part of the US, it doesn’t mean they want to remain closely tied to Denmark. Many here desire stronger autonomy and greater respect for the self-determination of the indigenous Inuit people, though opinions vary on the extent of this independence.”
A local resident echoed this sentiment, stating, “I think what Greenland is really striving for is self-governance and independence. Denmark’s financial and economic support is important, but I can see why the US is interested. Greenland’s geopolitical position and natural resources are highly valuable, especially for military purposes.”
Those who yearn for independence believe that the most viable path forward is to make strategic deals with the US while maintaining existing ties with Europe.
Pele Broberg, a Greenlandic MP from the Naleraq party, acknowledged Trump’s role in advancing the independence cause.
“You have to admit that Trump has done a lot of good for the independence movement,” Broberg said. “When he’s not in office, people don’t care about Greenland. His interest has given us the opportunity to explain what’s happening here. We’re not isolationists — we want to work with the rest of the world, not just Denmark.”
Polling data also shows the dilemma of Greenlanders’ aspirations; while 84% want independence from Denmark, while 45% would only desire it if it has no negative impact on their living standards.
For now, the path to sovereignty remains a delicate balancing act shaped by global geopolitics and the enduring resilience of Greenland’s people.