Greenland is vital to the world, though much of the world may not realize it. The US and other global powers covet its strategic location in the Arctic; its valuable rare earth minerals trapped under the ice needed for telecommunications; its billions of barrels of oil; its potential for shipping and trade routes as that ice keeps retreating because of climate change.

Not even one of Trump's most fervent fans in Greenland—who proudly wears a MAGA hat, and a T-shirt emblazoned with Trump pumping his fist and the words: "American Badass"—wants to be American.

But like other Greenlanders, he wants stronger ties to the US and to open for business beyond Denmark, which colonized them 300 years ago and still exercises control over foreign and defense policy.

"When Trump came to office, he wanted to talk to Greenlanders directly without going through Denmark. He wants to negotiate with us and that's why the Danish are very afraid," said Jørgen Boassen, who has visited the White House and welcomed Donald Trump Jr. when he recently visited Nuuk.

The American president's comments set off a political crisis in Denmark. The prime minister went on a tour of European capitals to garner support, saying the continent faced "a more uncertain reality," while her country moved to strengthen its military presence around Greenland.

There's consternation all around

For some, it's been dizzying, a rollercoaster of emotions since Trump's threats, since his son landed in Nuuk in January in a TRUMP-emblazoned plane and since his father posted on social media: "MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!" with a message to Greenlanders: "We're going to treat you well."

"When that was happening, I felt like I was hit in the stomach," said Qupanuk Olsen, a mining engineer and social media influencer running in the election for the Naleraq party.

Around her, supporters gathered at a bay filled with giant pieces of ice in Nuuk waving the red and white national flag that represents the sun and the ice that covers most of Greenland.

"I could feel that the ground will no longer ever be the same again," she said. "It's as if we were on sea ice and it started to break, and we don't know what's going to happen next."

Journalists from afar have descended on Nuuk, asking locals what they think of Trump's words. Pro-Trump media influencers known as the Nelk Boys arrived handing out MAGA hats and $100 bills to children in Nuuk's streets.

"Even though there are strong feelings of sadness, despair, confusion, I think we're also stronger than ever. We're fighting it for our people and that gives me hope," said Aka Hansen, an Inuk filmmaker and writer.

She is suspicious of Trump's intentions but still thanks him for turning the world's attention to her homeland.

"We went through all the emotions—at first very funny, very light, then very serious," said Hansen, who worked with Conan O'Brien when the comedian came to Nuuk in 2019 to shoot an episode poking fun at Trump's idea of buying Greenlan d. "Now, with all the international press that's been here, we've been given a voice that's being taken seriously."

Adblock test (Why?)