Nuussuaq district in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, with the Sermitsiaq mountain in the background. (source: oliver@schauf.de)
In recent days, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly signalled his ambition to expand the territory of the United States. This has included proposals such as annexing Canada as the 51st state and reasserting direct American control over the Panama Canal. Perhaps most controversially, Trump has expressed interest in the island of Greenland, a territory of the Kingdom of Denmark. Citing national security concerns, he has not ruled out deploying the United States military to seize control of the Arctic island, which is home to approximately 55,000 people.
Such a move would be unprecedented, particularly as Denmark, like the US, is a NATO member.
“I think Greenland will be worked out with us. I think we’re going to have it. And I think the people want to be with us,” said President Trump last week.
The US has tried to buy Greenland before – and not just once. Even Donald Trump made an attempt in 2019 during his first term in office.
French President Emmanuel Macron has condemned President Trump’s latest rhetoric as unacceptable, warning that it threatens the territorial integrity of the European Union. Meanwhile, Greenland’s devolved parliament, based in Nuuk, has reiterated its desire for independence from Denmark. In Greenlandic, the island is known as Kalaallit Nunaat, which translates to "Land of the People."
On Tuesday 14, Greenland’s Prime Minister, Mute Egede, expressed a willingness to cooperate with the US on matters related to mining rights.
The Slovak Spectator reached out to Slovaks living in or familiar with Denmark, as well as Danes living in Slovakia, to gather their perspectives on the matter.
