Greenland votes amid Trump invitation to join US: What to know

As Greenlanders prepare to head to the polls this week, the United States — and particularly President Trump's stated interest in acquiring the territory — is looming large over their vote.

Greenland's national election Tuesday is set to determine 31 members of the Inatsisartut, its parliament. The world's largest island is a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, and while independence won't be on the ballot this week, the results could ultimately set the stage for a later referendum on its future control.

Despite pushback from both Danish and European authorities, Trump has doubled down in his quest for the U.S. to take over the natural resources-rich Arctic land.

“We need Greenland for national security and even international security, and we’re working with everybody involved to try and get it.” Trump said during his speech to a joint session of Congress last week. "But we need it really for international world security, and I think we’re going to get it."

"One way or the other, we’re going to get it,” he added.

The president’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., traveled to Nuuk, Greenland, in January to promote the annexation idea, and the president has posted supportive messages on social media to “MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!”

House Republicans have sponsored legislation in support of the U.S. negotiating directly with Denmark to acquire Greenland.

Greenland Prime Minister Múte Bourup Egede has called for the Arctic island to instead pursue independence for its nearly 57,000 residents. Greenland's ruling party, the democratic socialist Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA), led by Egede since 2018, supports independence, as do other major parties in the region.

"Like other countries in the world, we must work to remove the obstacles to cooperation – which we can describe as the shackles of colonialism — and move forward,” Egede said in a January address.

The IA hasn't outlined a time frame for an independence referendum if it maintains control.

Meanwhile, Juno Berthelsen, a candidate in the election for the Naleraq party, recently told The Associated Press that Trump has given Greenland leverage to negotiate with Denmark.

“If I had to pick one word, it would be 'exciting,' he said. "And full of opportunities."

A January poll conducted by Verian for the Danish newspaper Berlingske and Greenland-based outlet Sermitsiaq, found about 85 percent of Greenland residents said they do not want to become part of the U.S.

Six percent of respondents said they would support annexation, while 9 percent had no opinion.

More than half of respondents — 56 percent — said they would vote for Greenlandic independence if a referendum were held, but 45 percent said they wouldn't support independence if it had a negative impact on their quality of life.

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