Like many, I suspect that Trump’s end goal with Greenland is not so much to make it an American territory, but to spur independence and move it into the American sphere of influence. This would allow America to have more influence and security with this land than sits athwart vital shipping lanes and imbued with tremendous natural resources. Judging by the comments of many of the Greenlanders, it’s time.

The Greenland question is a delicate one for Denmark, whose prime minister officially apologised only recently for spearheading a 1950s social experiment which saw Inuit children removed from their families to be re-educated as “model Danes”.

 

Last week, Greenland’s leader said the territory should free itself from “the shackles of colonialism.”

 

By doing so he tapped into growing nationalist sentiment, fuelled by interest among Greenland’s younger generations in the indigenous culture and history of the Inuit.

 

Most commentators now expect a successful independence referendum in the near future. While for many it would be seen as a victory, it could also usher in a new set of problems, as 60% of Greenland’s economy is dependent on Denmark.

 

An independent Greenland “would need to make choices,” said Karsten Honge. The Green Left MP now fears his preferred option of a new Commonwealth-style pact “based on equality and democracy” is unlikely to come about.

 

[…]

 

Opposition MP Jarlov argues that while there is no point in forcing Greenland to be part of Denmark, “it is very close to being an independent country already”.

 

Its capital Nuuk is self-governed, but relies on Copenhagen for management of currency, foreign relations and defence – as well as substantial subsidies.

 

“Greenland today has more independence than Denmark has from the EU,” Jarlov added. “So I hope they think things through.”

 

As Mette Frederiksen has the awkward task of responding firmly while not offending Greenland or the US, the staunchest rebuttal to Trump’s comments so far has come from outside Denmark.