Trump asserts 'annexation will happen' after Greenlanders vote pro-independence party to power

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (March 13) reiterated his ambition to take over Greenland, saying he believed that annexation “will happen”.

“We are going to have to make a deal on Greenland,” the US leader said, speaking alongside Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte.

He then pointed at Rutte and added the NATO chief could be “very instrumental” in the move.

“You know Mark, we need that for international security… we have a lot of our favorite players cruising around the coast and we have to be careful,” Trump said in subtle reference to China and Russia.

Since taking office in January, Trump has vowed to make Greenland —a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark— part of the United States, saying it is vital to US security interests, an idea rejected by most Greenlanders.

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The island holds substantial natural resources, including critical minerals such as rare earths used in high-tech industries, ranging from electric vehicles to missile systems.

Rutte, finding himself in a tight spot, sought to stay clear of any question regarding Greenland becoming part of the United States, saying: “I don’t want to drag NATO in that.”

However, “when it comes to the high north and the Arctic, you are totally right,” Rutte said.

Greenland polls

This is Trump’s first statement on Greenland after the Arctic Island held its legislative elections on Tuesday.

The Democratic Party, which supports a gradual approach to independence from Denmark and has also opposed Trump’s idea, secured around 30 per cent of the vote, according to near-final results.

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While Greenland manages its domestic affairs, foreign and defence policies remain under Copenhagen’s control.

Five of the six major parties back independence, but they differ on how quickly it should be pursued.

Do Greenlanders want to join the US?

A recent survey found that most of the island’s 57,000 residents oppose joining the US.

The poll, conducted by the Danish newspaper Berlingske and Greenland-based outlet Sermitsiaq, revealed that a whopping 85 per cent of the people don’t support the US taking over their land.

More than 56 per cent of respondents said they would vote for Greenlandic independence in a referendum. However, 45 per cent would not support it if it negatively impacted their quality of life.

(With inputs from agencies)