Greenland’s Election: Independence, Trump, and a Changing Arctic Future

Greenland is holding a pivotal parliamentary election that could shape its future, not only in relation to Denmark but also in the face of renewed US interest, particularly from President Donald Trump.

In recent years, Trump’s vision of acquiring Greenland has thrust the Arctic island into the global spotlight, intensifying the long-standing debate over its independence from Denmark.

While elections in Greenland have traditionally attracted little international attention, this year is different. With five out of six major parties supporting eventual independence, the question is no longer whether Greenland should break away from Denmark, but when and how. President Trump’s repeated emphasis on Greenland’s strategic importance and natural resources has only accelerated this debate.

“There’s never been a spotlight like this on Greenland before,” notes Nauja Bianco, a Danish-Greenlandic Arctic policy expert.

Trump’s 2019 interest in purchasing the island was initially dismissed as unrealistic. However, since his return to office in January, he has doubled down on his belief that Greenland is vital to US national security. Speaking before Congress, he stated:

“We need Greenland for national security. One way or the other, we’re gonna get it.”

His comments have sparked strong reactions in Greenland, with Prime Minister Mute Egede firmly rejecting any possibility of a US takeover.

“We deserve to be treated with respect, and I don’t think the American president has done that lately,” Egede said.

Greenland has been under Danish control for nearly 300 years, but it has governed its domestic affairs since 1979. Foreign and defense policies remain under Copenhagen’s authority, though Denmark provides an annual subsidy of around $511 million, accounting for over half of Greenland’s public budget.

A push for independence has been growing for decades, fueled by economic ambitions and grievances over Denmark’s colonial past. Revelations of past mistreatment of the Inuit population have further driven calls for self-determination. As Egede put it earlier this year, Greenland must free itself from “the shackles of colonialism.”

While some parties, such as Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA), favor a gradual approach to independence, others, like the opposition Naleraq party, advocate for immediate separation. Naleraq leader Pele Broberg has argued that Greenland could be independent within three years, citing Brexit as an example. The party also favors closer defense cooperation with the US, though it stops short of advocating for Greenland to become an American territory.

Although the majority of Greenlanders reject the idea of becoming part of the US, Trump’s attention to the island has had unintended consequences. By reigniting global interest in Greenland, he has strengthened the argument for independence. His administration has already taken steps to deepen US-Greenland relations, including offering economic investments and defense partnerships.

“Trump’s actions have put the independence debate on steroids,” says Masaana Egede, editor of the Greenlandic newspaper Sermitsiaq.

While some view his approach as aggressive, others see an opportunity for Greenland to negotiate better economic and strategic partnerships with Washington.

Greenland’s rich deposits of rare earth minerals, essential for technology and defense industries, make it an attractive partner for global powers, including the US, China, and the European Union. As the Arctic’s ice recedes, new shipping routes and resource opportunities are emerging, increasing Greenland’s geopolitical significance.

Polling indicates that around 80% of Greenlanders favor eventual independence, though economic concerns remain. A significant portion of the population worries about lower living standards without Denmark’s financial support. Moreover, a survey found that while many Greenlanders support self-rule, 85% oppose becoming part of the US.

Despite the uncertainties, one thing is clear: Greenland’s future is shifting. Whether through gradual economic development or more immediate political moves, the island is moving closer to independence. And while Trump’s vision of American ownership is widely rejected, his influence on the debate is undeniable.

With input from BBC, CNBC, FOX News, and Al Jazeera.