Greenland’s prime minister said Friday that people in the mineral-rich Arctic territory don’t want to be Americans, but that he understands The interest of the newly elected US President Donald Trump in the island given its strategic position and is open to greater cooperation with Washington.

The comments by Greenland’s leader, Múta B. Egede, came after Trump said earlier this week that he would not rule out using force or economic pressure to make Greenland — a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark — part of the United States. Trump said that it is a matter of national security for the US The melting of the sea ice has opened new sea routes through the Arcticand the western powers have already expressed concern about Russia and China are using it to strengthen their presence in the North Atlantic.

Egede admitted it Greenland is part of the North American continentand “a place Americans see as part of their world.” He said he hasn’t spoken to Trump but is open to talking about what “unites us.”

“Cooperation is dialogue. Cooperation means you will work on solutions,” he said.

Egede called for Greenlandic independence, portraying Denmark as a colonial power that did not always treat the indigenous Inuit population well.

“Greenland is for the Greenlandic people. We don’t want to be Danes, we don’t want to be Americans. We want to be Greenlanders,” he said at a press conference together with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen.

Trump’s desire for Greenland has caused concern in Denmark as well as across Europe. The United States is a strong ally of the 27-member European Union and a leading member of the NATO alliance, and many Europeans were shocked by the suggestion that a future American leader might even consider using force against an ally.

But Frederiksen said she sees a positive side to the debate.

“The debate about Greenlandic independence and the latest announcements from the US show us a lot of interest in Greenland,” she said. “Events that stirred many thoughts and feelings among many in Greenland and Denmark.”

“The US is our closest ally and we will do everything to continue our strong cooperation,” she said.

Frederiksen and Egede spoke to reporters after the semi-annual assembly of Denmark and the two territories of its kingdom, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. The meeting was previously scheduled and was not called in response to Trump’s recent statements. Trump’s eldest son also visited Greenland on Tuesdaylanding in a plane emblazoned with TRUMP and handing out Make America Great Again hats to the locals.

Danish public broadcaster DR reported on Friday that Trump’s team encouraged homeless and socially disadvantaged people in Greenland to appear in a video wearing MAGA hats after being offered a free meal at a nice restaurant. The report cites a local resident, Tom Amtof, who recognized some of them in a video broadcast by the Trump team.

“They are bribing themselves and it is deeply distasteful,” he said.

Greenland has 57,000 inhabitants. But it is a vast territory that possesses natural resources that include oil, gas and rare earth elements, which are expected to become more accessible. the ice is melting due to climate change. Greenland could hold significant reserves of up to 31 different minerals, including lithium and graphite. These rare materials are needed to produce batteries for electric vehicles. China right now produces about 65% of world graffiti.

While Copenhagen is responsible for its foreign affairs and defense, the US also shares responsibility for the defense of Greenland
and operates a base there, Pituffik Space Base, which remains the US military’s northernmost installation to this day.

contributed to this report.