The comments on Friday from the Greenlandic leader, Múte B Egede, came after Trump said earlier this week that he wouldn't rule out using force or economic pressure in order to make Greenland — a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark — a part of the United States. Trump said it was a matter of national security for the US.
Egede acknowledged that Greenland is part of the North American continent, and "a place that the Americans see as part of their world." He said he hasn't spoken to Trump, but that he's open to discussions about what "unites us".
"Cooperation is about dialogue. Cooperation means that you will work towards solutions," he said.
Egede has been calling for independence for Greenland, casting Denmark as a colonial power that hasn't always treated the Indigenous Inuit population well.
"Greenland is for the Greenlandic people. We do not want to be Danish, we do not want to be American. We want to be Greenlandic," he said at a news conference alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen.
Trump's desire for Greenland has sparked anxiety in Denmark as well as across Europe. The US is a strong ally of 27-nation European Union and the leading member of the NATO alliance, and many Europeans were shocked by the suggestion that an incoming US leader could even consider using force against an ally.
But Frederiksen said she sees a positive aspect in the discussion.
"The debate on Greenlandic independence and the latest announcements from the US show us the large interest in Greenland," she said.
"Events which set in motion a lot of thoughts and feelings with many in Greenland and Denmark."
"The US is our closest ally, and we will do everything to continue a strong cooperation," she said.
Greenland has a population of 57,000. But it's a vast territory possessing natural resources that include oil, gas, and rare earth elements, which are expected to become more accessible as ice melts because of climate change. It also has a key strategic location in the Arctic, where Russia, China and others are seeking to expand their footprint.
Greenland, the world's largest island, lies closer to the North American mainland than to Denmark. While Copenhagen is responsible for its foreign affairs and defence, the US also shares responsibility for Greenland's defence and operates an air force base there based on a 1951 treaty.
