The view from Greenland: 'We don't want to be Americans'

Summary

Title: Detailed Summary of "The View from Greenland: 'We Don't Want to Be Americans'"
Podcast: Consider This from NPR
Host/Author: NPR
Release Date: February 25, 2025

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Introduction

In the February 25, 2025 episode of NPR's "Consider This," titled "The View from Greenland: 'We Don't Want to Be Americans'," host Juana Summers delves into the intensified geopolitical focus on Greenland following renewed interest from former President Donald Trump. This episode explores the strategic significance of Greenland, the island's residents' strong desire for independence, and the broader implications for U.S.-Greenland-Denmark relations.

Trump's Renewed Interest in Greenland

The episode opens with Juana Summers outlining President Donald Trump's long-standing interest in Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark:

Juana Summers [00:00]: "President Donald Trump has had his eye on Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, since his first term. Trump says he wants the island for national security purposes. He and his allies point to Greenland's strategic location as well as its reserves of rare earth minerals."

Trump's interest is driven by Greenland's pivotal location in the Arctic and its wealth of rare earth minerals, essential for various high-tech industries. This strategic allure has placed Greenland and its 57,000 residents under intense global scrutiny.

Greenland's Strong Desire for Independence

A central theme of the episode is the overwhelming desire of Greenlanders to maintain their autonomy and cultural identity. Local voices express a unanimous rejection of being subsumed under American or Danish control.

Nya Nathanielson [00:35]: "We want to be Greenlanders. We don't want to be American. We don't want to be Danish. We only want to be Greenlandic people. We want to be Inuit. So Greenland is not for sale."

Supporting this sentiment, a recent poll by Danish and Greenlandic news outlets reveals that 85% of Greenlanders do not wish to become part of the United States.

Juana Summers [00:48]: "A recent poll from Danish and Greenlandic news outlets backs up that sentiment. It found that 85% of Greenlanders don't want to be part of the United States."

This strong inclination towards independence is echoed by former lawmakers like Akaluk Linga, who has been a staunch advocate for Greenland's self-determination.

Akaluk Linga [01:44]: "I cannot understand how a democracy could breed the kind of power grabbing that we are seeing here."

Local Voices and Perspectives

The podcast features intimate conversations with Greenlandic residents who illustrate the islanders' resistance to external control. Lila Sand Green, a tourism business owner in Ilulissat, and Nya Nathanielson, a parliamentary candidate, voice their collective desire to preserve Greenlandic identity.

Nya Nathanielson [01:08]: "We want to be independent, so we are not for sale."

Additionally, Jorgen Bosen represents a minority perspective that welcomes American involvement, advocating for a free association agreement that would see the U.S. provide economic assistance and defense support without formal ownership.

Akaluk Linga [02:26]: "I think US is more welcome than to have a base, more bases here and have a military to protect us and Greenland to Russia and China. So I have no trouble with that and I think we can make a deal of that when they have presidency here in the future."

U.S. Political Responses and Proposals

The episode discusses the reaction within the United States, highlighting legislative actions spurred by Trump's claims. A notable Senate hearing scrutinized the president's ambitions, with some bills even proposing the renaming of Greenland to "Red, White and Blue Land."

Nya Nathanielson [05:56]: "Well, first of all, I watched the Senate hearing and I was quite offended by the idea that we are commodity for sale people who forget that we are actually a people. We are people in our own right with our own culture. We don't want to be Americans."

These political maneuvers in the U.S. have added tension to an already delicate situation, as Greenlanders perceive these actions as attempts to commodify their homeland and disregard their sovereignty.

Impact on Greenland-U.S. Relations

The strained interactions have significantly impacted the historically cooperative relationship between Greenland and the United States. Nya Nathanielson highlights the deterioration caused by recent events:

Nya Nathanielson [08:40]: "A lot of people are struggling to remind themselves that America also has good people, that we have friends in America, that America is an ally, because frankly, the last couple of months have shown an America that is a bad ally, that is a bully, that doesn't respect our democracy, that doesn't respect a government that treat us as a commodity, that seems indifferent to what the Greenland people want."

This shift has left many Greenlanders fearful and distrustful of American intentions, jeopardizing potential collaborations and economic partnerships.

Future Outlook and Potential Pathways

Despite the current tensions, there are visions for a mutually beneficial relationship. Jorgen Bosen advocates for a free association agreement, which would allow Greenland to maintain autonomy while receiving U.S. economic and defense support.

Nya Nathanielson [07:53]: "I think just rewind like eight months because we had a good relationship. We had a memorandum of understanding that we wanted to expand on mineral exploration and we also wanted to discuss further military presence in Greenland in terms of installations that could have dual use. So both benefiting military purposes, but also the people of Greenland. We had a good relationship and we were positive towards both American investments and collaboration. And that has been pretty hard hit the last couple of months."

Local leaders like Nya emphasize the importance of restoring trust and fostering partnerships that respect Greenland's sovereignty and cultural identity.

Conclusion

"The View from Greenland: 'We Don't Want to Be Americans'" offers a comprehensive examination of the complex dynamics surrounding Greenland's quest for independence amidst external geopolitical pressures. Through firsthand accounts and expert insights, the episode underscores the islanders' unwavering commitment to self-determination and the challenges they face in maintaining their autonomy against influential global powers like the United States. As Greenland navigates its path forward, the episode leaves listeners contemplating the broader implications of sovereignty, strategic interests, and cultural preservation in an increasingly interconnected world.

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Notable Quotes:

• Nya Nathanielson [00:35]: "We want to be Greenlanders. We don't want to be American. We don't want to be Danish. We only want to be Greenlandic people. We want to be Inuit. So Greenland is not for sale."

• Akaluk Linga [01:44]: "I cannot understand how a democracy could breed the kind of power grabbing that we are seeing here."

• Nya Nathanielson [05:56]: "We don't want to be Americans... shows a lack of insight also in diplomacy."

• Nya Nathanielson [08:40]: "America is a bad ally, that is a bully, that doesn't respect our democracy... we are such a small population."

• Akaluk Linga [02:26]: "[...] I think US is more welcome than to have a base [...]"

Production Credits

• Produced by: Matt Ozug, Vincent Akovino, Elena Burnett
• Edited by: Ashley Brown, Courtney Dorning, Nadia Lancy
• Executive Producer: Sami Yenigun

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This summary was crafted based on the transcript and information provided from the NPR podcast episode "The View from Greenland: 'We Don't Want to Be Americans'." For more insights and episodes, visit Consider This from NPR.

Transcript

[Juana Summers]

President Donald Trump has had his eye on Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, since his first term. Trump says he wants the island for national security purposes. He and his allies point to Greenland's strategic location as well as its reserves of rare earth minerals. The president's renewed interest has thrust the island and its roughly 57,000 residents into an intense geopolitical spotlight. Lila Sand Green was born and raised in Ilulissat, the small town that's one of Greenland's most popular tourist destinations. She and her husband run a tourism company there.

[Nya Nathanielson]

We want to be Greenlanders. We don't want to be American. We don't want to be Danish. We only want to be Greenlandic people. We want to be Inuit. So Greenland is not for sale.

[Juana Summers]

That notion that the people of Greenland don't want to be American and don't want to be Danish was one I heard over and over again on my recent reporting trip to the island. A recent poll from Danish and Greenlandic news outlets backs up that sentiment. It found that 85% of Greenlanders don't want to be part of the United States.

[Nya Nathanielson]

We want to be independent, so we are not for sale.

[Juana Summers]

This is Karen Quartz and we met her in between appointments at the hair salon she opened six months ago in Alulissat.

[Nya Nathanielson]

We also isolate. We are not familiar with the military spaces or something like European or American. We're not used to it because we just. We are very calm, so we are not so interested.

[Juana Summers]

Greenlandic and Danish leaders have also told the US that the territory is not for sale, and former lawmakers agree.

[Akaluk Linga]

I cannot understand how a democracy could breed the kind of power grabbing that we are seeing here.

[Juana Summers]

That's Akaluk Linga, a former member of Greenland's parliament. He spent years fighting for Greenland's right to self determination. He believes that Greenland's future must be tied to Denmark.

[Akaluk Linga]

We understand and we have been understanding for the last 50 years, if Greenland secedes from Denmark, it will be taken by United States and why would we go? Most of us have only Denmark to go to. So are we going to be thrown out of our homeland? We will never surrender to anyone.

[Juana Summers]

The island relies on Denmark for defense and security, but Greenland could declare independence after a referendum. Jorgen Bosen is a Greenlandic fan of President Trump and had a hand in organizing an unofficial visit by Donald Trump Jr. In January. He welcomes more American involvement.

[Akaluk Linga]

I think US is more welcome than to have a base, more bases here and have a military to protect us and Greenland to Russia and China. So I have no trouble with that and I think we can make a deal of that when they have presidency here in the future.

[Juana Summers]

Boson said he hopes that Greenland will enter a free association agreement with the US where the US Gives economic assistance and provides for Greenland's defense. Consider this it's not yet clear what shape, if any, Trump's ambitions for Greenland will take, but some politicians in the territory are taking his calls for acquisition more seriously than ever before. From npr, I'm Juana Summers. This message comes from Carvana. Discover your car's worth with Carvana Value Tracker. Stay up to date when your car's value changes. Always know your car's worth with Carvana Value Tracker. It's Consider this from npr President Trump's calls for the US to take over Greenland have sparked alarm and outrage. Denmark, which is responsible for Greenland's security, recently announced that it would further boost its defense spending. Earlier this month, lawmakers on Capitol Hill held a hearing focused on Trump's ambitions. In Greenland, Nya Nathanielson was watching. She's running for Parliament in next month's elections, and I met her at her office in Nuke last week. On one wall next to her desk, a piece of art caught my eye. It's an illustration of the late U.S. supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Gavilinhand. On the lectern, the words fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join. I started by asking Nya Nathanielson for her reaction when she heard Trump's goal to take over her country. She learned about it when she saw a post from Trump's Truth Social platform.

[Nya Nathanielson]

Well, I read social media post 23rd December. I actually took it much more serious and I think also I got this feeling that this is going to be something we're going to be debating for a long time.

[Juana Summers]

What was it about what he said and what he's been saying that made you take it more seriously?

[Nya Nathanielson]

I think it was use of control and ownership, which had rendered a more serious vibe to it, if you will. And also I think since then I've seen more and more people come out with similar stances and different suggestions, some in form of memes, some in form of just social media posts, some in form of op EDS in serious papers. Now latest a Senate hearing, right? So I think it has degrees of seriousness to it now that it didn't have the last time around.

[Juana Summers]

I don't know how much of that Senate hearing you were able to see or digest, but what do you make of some of the arguments coming out of the states. There are a number of bills moving through our government suggesting authorizing the president, President Trump to go into negotiations to purchase Greenland, suggesting a recent bill suggesting Greenland being renamed as Red, White and Blue Land. What do you think when you hear that?

[Nya Nathanielson]

Well, first of all, I watched the Senate hearing and I was quite offended by the idea that we are commodity for sale people who forget that we are actually a people. We are people in our own right with our own culture. We don't want to be Americans. It does not mean we don't want to trade with America or have connections to America, but we are not Americans. So I think it's offending on many levels and shows a lack of insight also in diplomacy, I think because I don't believe in this bullying tactic, I don't think that's a way to gain true allies and true partnerships. And I think it's a very short term way of trying to get your way. History has shown us that is not a way to obtain lasting peace.

[Juana Summers]

I think if President Trump or a member of his administration or an ally were sitting here, they'd make the case that the interest that the US has in Greenland is rooted in Arctic security and the strategic location of this island. What do you make of the security based argument? Of course, the countries have had relationships for a long time. The United States has had and still has a military base here. What do you make of that?

[Nya Nathanielson]

Well, we've been all along saying we have an over 80 year long relationship with the US and we do recognize we're part of the American interest, fair in terms of national security. And we've been pushing for many years now the idea to have more monitoring of the Arctic both in submarine and in the air. So we don't oppose that. But again, it does not follow from that what we want to be American or that the US Needs ownership of Greenland to obtain these goals. It is absolutely possible without the use of force or threats or acquirement.

[Juana Summers]

I'm curious, what kind of relationship would you like to see between our two countries moving forward? We have that long, that decades long history. What is a way that there could be a relationship between Greenland and the US that benefits the Greenlandic people who live here? What would you say?

[Nya Nathanielson]

I think just rewind like eight months because we had a good relationship. We had a memorandum of understanding that we wanted to expand on mineral exploration and we also wanted to discuss further military presence in Greenland in terms of installations that could have dual use. So both benefiting military purposes, but also the people of Greenland. We had a good relationship and we were positive towards both American investments and collaboration. And that has been pretty hard hit the last couple of months.

[Juana Summers]

You're saying we had a good relationship, we had good opinions. That is in the past tense. Can you just paint a picture for us of what this has done for people here, for their views of Americans, for their views of the relationship with America?

[Nya Nathanielson]

A lot of people are struggling to remind themselves that America also has good people, that we have friends in America, that America is an ally, because frankly, the last couple of months have shown an America that is a bad ally, that is a bully, that doesn't respect our democracy, that doesn't respect a government that treat us as a commodity, that seems indifferent to what the Grundy people want. And that is both hurtful and frightening because we are a micro state, we are such a small population. We totally rely on a good relationship with a big partner. So for us, it has really damaged, I think, our relationship. And I think it's very sad because we have so much to gain from each other. I think it was an open door. There was absolutely no, no barriers towards American interest into Greenland just a couple of months ago.

[Juana Summers]

That was NYA Nathanielson. She's running for Parliament and has served as minister of Business, Trade, Mineral Resources, justice and Gender Equality in the Greenlandic government. This episode was produced by Matt Ozug, Vincent Akovino and Elena Burnett. It was edited by Ashley Brown, Courtney Dorning and Nadia Lancy. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun. It's consider this from npr. I'm Juana Summers. Public Media counts on your support to ensure that the reporting and programs you depend on thrive. Make a recurring donation today to get special access to more than 20 NPR podcasts. Perks like sponsor free listening, bonus episodes, early access and more. So start supporting what you love [e-mail] want to hear this podcast without sponsor breaks? Amazon prime members can listen to Consider this sponsor free through Amazon Music. Or you can also support NPR's vital journalism and get consider this [e-mail] that's plus.NPR.org.