Former Greenlandic MP Tillie Martinussen has rejected US interest in her island, saying Greenlanders “do not want to be rich like Americans” and accusing Washington of greed.
Martinussen was responding to President Donald Trump’s suggestions about acquiring Greenland, which included proposals to pay residents $100,000 each.
“Even if you offer $100,000 per person, we will not give up free healthcare, free education, and being a part of Europe,” she said.
She added that the compensation won't matter if the rights are taken away: “We are not white. We are people of colour. We know our rights would likely be taken away.”
Martinussen said that opposition to the US was not just about resources. “Even if there are minerals and oil under our land - and they are worth far more - we still would not sell ourselves,” she said, referencing the historical mistreatment of Indigenous populations in Alaska and the continental United States.
She added, “We know what happened to Indigenous people in Alaska and Native Americans. Their land was taken, and they were not treated well.”
Martinussen rejected the transactional logic often attached to Greenland’s resources. “Look how greedy [Americans] are, even trying to invade their friends,” she said.
Public unease over Trump’s proposals has spread beyond Greenland. On January 17, thousands protested in Copenhagen against the US threats to seize the island.
Adding to the tension, President Trump announced punitive trade measures. From February 1, 2026, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland will face a 10 per cent tariff on goods sent to US, rising to 25 per cent on June 1, 2026.
Despite the tensions, Martinussen hopes the Trump administration will reconsider its approach. Speaking to a television channel, she said she wanted the administration to “abandon this crazy idea."
“Even if they claim they want to make Greenland better than the Danes, they are now being openly threatened,” she said.
She added: “Ownership of land belongs to everyone here. Private ownership is not allowed. We will not give up being a part of Europe.”
Former Greenlandic MP Tillie Martinussen has rejected US interest in her island, saying Greenlanders “do not want to be rich like Americans” and accusing Washington of greed.
Martinussen was responding to President Donald Trump’s suggestions about acquiring Greenland, which included proposals to pay residents $100,000 each.
“Even if you offer $100,000 per person, we will not give up free healthcare, free education, and being a part of Europe,” she said.
She added that the compensation won't matter if the rights are taken away: “We are not white. We are people of colour. We know our rights would likely be taken away.”
Martinussen said that opposition to the US was not just about resources. “Even if there are minerals and oil under our land - and they are worth far more - we still would not sell ourselves,” she said, referencing the historical mistreatment of Indigenous populations in Alaska and the continental United States.
She added, “We know what happened to Indigenous people in Alaska and Native Americans. Their land was taken, and they were not treated well.”
Martinussen rejected the transactional logic often attached to Greenland’s resources. “Look how greedy [Americans] are, even trying to invade their friends,” she said.
Public unease over Trump’s proposals has spread beyond Greenland. On January 17, thousands protested in Copenhagen against the US threats to seize the island.
Adding to the tension, President Trump announced punitive trade measures. From February 1, 2026, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland will face a 10 per cent tariff on goods sent to US, rising to 25 per cent on June 1, 2026.
Despite the tensions, Martinussen hopes the Trump administration will reconsider its approach. Speaking to a television channel, she said she wanted the administration to “abandon this crazy idea."
“Even if they claim they want to make Greenland better than the Danes, they are now being openly threatened,” she said.
She added: “Ownership of land belongs to everyone here. Private ownership is not allowed. We will not give up being a part of Europe.”
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