TL;DR 

In his article "Trump Wants Greenland – But Here's What the People of Greenland Want," published in The Conversation, Gustav Agneman refutes Donald Trump's misrepresentation of Greenlandic public opinion. Trump claimed that two-thirds of Greenlanders want independence from Denmark, implying they might also be open to joining the U.S. However, Agneman clarifies that while many Greenlanders aspire to independence "at some point," only 6% support U.S. annexation. Greenland's economic reliance on Danish subsidies and its push for self-sufficiency means that its political future remains complex and solely in the hands of its people—not external powers like the U.S.

Gustav Agneman's article in The Conversation corrects Donald Trump's distortion of Greenlandic political sentiment, highlighting the real complexities of Greenland's independence movement.

Trump's Truth Social post (2025) misused a 2018 survey, which found that 66% of Greenlanders support independence from Denmark "at some point". However, Agneman points out that:

• The survey never asked about joining the U.S., making Trump's claim intentionally misleading.
• A 2025 survey by Sermitsiaq and Berlingske found that only 6% of Greenlanders supported becoming part of the U.S., while 85% opposed it (The Guardian).

The article explores why independence remains a long-term goal rather than an immediate priority:

• Greenland has self-rule since 2009, with its own parliament and prime minister. Still, Denmark controls foreign affairs, defense, and monetary policy.
  
  
• The Danish government funds nearly 50% of Greenland's budget, making economic self-sufficiency a key barrier to complete independence.
  
  
• Many Greenlanders see natural resources (fisheries, rare earth minerals, oil) as a path to economic sovereignty, though development challenges remain.

Agneman emphasizes that Greenland's political future is a decision for its people, not external actors like Trump. While the U.S. and other powers have strategic interests in Greenland, it remains clear that most Greenlanders do not want American annexation.

Concluding Reflections

Gustav Agneman's article exposes Trump's misrepresentation of Greenlandic public opinion, showing that Greenlanders want self-determination, not U.S. annexation. While many support long-term independence from Denmark, economic realities make immediate separation unlikely. The article highlights that Trump's interest in Greenland is likely strategic—driven by its vast natural resources and geopolitical significance. However, Greenland's future must be determined by its people, not foreign leaders pursuing political narratives. 

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