Huge Majority of Greenlanders Don't Want To Be American: Poll

An overwhelming number of Greenlanders reject U.S. President Donald Trump's idea that the country should leave Denmark to become part of the United States, according to a new poll.

In the poll, conducted between January 22 and January 26 by Verian for Danish newspaper Berlingske and Greenlandic newspaper Sermitsiaqt, 85 percent of respondents said they do not support joining the U.S., while 6 percent said they would back such a move and 9 percent said they were undecided.

Why It Matters

Trump has said that Greenlanders want to be part of the U.S., and a previous survey from Patriot Polling suggested a majority backed such a move, but the poll out Wednesday directly contradicts that narrative.

Greenland is of strategic importance to the U.S. due to its use in imports and exports, its military significance and its natural resources. Trump's push to acquire the territory has sparked diplomatic tensions between Denmark, Greenland, and the U.S.

Newsweek has reached out to the White House and the Danish and Greenlandic governments via email for comment.

What To Know

The poll, which surveyed 497 Greenlandic citizens, revealed that 45 percent of respondents said they view Trump's interest in their territory as a threat, while only 8 percent would accept a U.S. passport if given the choice between American and Danish citizenship.

Denmark has regularly asserted its commitment to Greenland's sovereignty, with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen recently stating that she supports maintaining international borders.

Greenland Prime Minister Múte Egedehas has also reaffirmed that the island is not for sale and that its future is up to the citizens of the world's largest island.

Denmark has announced plans to spend 14.6 billion Danish kroner ($2.05 billion) to strengthen its military presence in the Arctic.

The U.S. already has a military presence in Greenland at the Pituffik Space Base, which is part of its missile defense operations.

What People Are Saying

Kasper Møller Hansen, election researcher and professor of political science at the University of Copenhagen, to Berlingske: "Compared to what Donald Trump has said previously, this is very clear evidence that the reality is different."

Múte Egede, Greenland's Prime Minister, in a Facebook post: "Let me repeat—Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland. Our future and fight for independence is our business (...) We should not be caught up in the hysteria and external pressures distracting us from our path."

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, to reporters after meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron: "This is a very, very clear message (...) that of course there must be respect for territory and the sovereignty of states."

U.S. President Donald Trump, in a press conference earlier in January: "We need Greenland for national security purposes. I've been told that for a long time, long before I even ran. I mean, people have been talking about it for a long time.

"You have approximately 45,000 people there. People really don't even know if Denmark has any legal right to it, but if they do, they should give it up, because we need it for national security,"

What Happens Next

Trump's persistence in his calls to obtain the Arctic island could ultimately cause further strife with Greenland and Denmark, two close U.S. allies.