Greenland PM seeks boost to economy amid independence drive

Greenland is looking to strengthen its economy and become more self-sustaining, according to the island’s Prime Minister Mute B Egede, who is pushing for independence for the territory. New business partnerships in the minerals sector are welcome, Egede said during a joint news conference with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen on Friday.

Greenland is already working closely with Denmark and the US on the potential of extracting “critical minerals,” and there is bandwidth to expand the cooperation, he said.

“We have potential. We have some reserves that can be used,” he said. “What we want from the Greenlandic side is that we get progress in our economy.”

Denmark is also open to investing more in the territory, Frederiksen said, specifically pointing to funds for critical infrastructure, such as airports. Greenland wants to bring in more tourism and business, and opened an international airport in Nuuk in November. Two others — in Ilulissat and Qaqortoq — are set to begin operations in 2026.

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The future of the relationship between Greenland and Denmark has come under the spotlight this week after US President-elect Donald Trump reiterated a wish to buy the Arctic island with 57,000 people. While both Egede and Frederiksen have stressed that Greenland is not for sale, Trump’s approach is seen as boosting the case for independence from Denmark.

Egede, who faces elections this spring, reiterated that push.

“We don’t want to be Danish, we don’t want to be American, we of course want to be Greenlandic,” Egede said. “Status quo is no longer an option. We have to find a new way.”

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Egede also said during the news conference that he has yet to speak with Trump and is ready to start a dialog. Egede, who faces elections this spring, reiterated that push.

“We don’t want to be Danish, we don’t want to be American, we of course want to be Greenlandic,” Egede said. “Status quo is no longer an option. We have to find a new way.”

Egede also said during the news conference that he has yet to speak with Trump, and is ready to start a dialog.