Greenland’s Prime Minister, Mute Egede, has voiced strong criticism of US President Donald Trump’s renewed interest in acquiring the Arctic island, stating that Greenlanders have not been treated with the respect they deserve. His remarks came during an interview with Danish public broadcaster DR on Monday (March 10).

Trump reiterated his desire to acquire Greenland during his congressional address last Tuesday, portraying it as an island with vast potential. He promised prosperity and security for Greenland’s "incredible people" and reaffirmed his stance in a Truth Social post on Monday, stating: "We will continue to keep you safe, as we have since World War II. We are ready to invest billions of dollars to create new jobs and make you rich."

Egede, however, pushed back against Trump's approach, asserting that Greenland should decide its own future. He expressed concerns that the American president’s recent actions have made Greenlanders wary of strengthening ties with the US. “We deserve to be treated with respect, and I don't think the US president has done that recently since he took office,” Egede said. He added that Greenland should focus on building relationships with countries that respect its ambitions for the future.

A long-time advocate for Greenland’s independence, Egede has repeatedly emphasized that the island, home to just 57,000 people, belongs to its own residents. While Greenland is rich in natural resources such as minerals, oil, and natural gas, its economy remains heavily reliant on fishing and annual subsidies from Denmark. Development has been slow, and full independence remains a long-term goal. As Greenland heads into a general election, a recent poll revealed that 85% of Greenlanders oppose becoming part of the United States, with nearly half viewing Trump's interest as a potential threat rather than an opportunity.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters file.