In a significant declaration during a recent phone call, Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen asserted to former President Donald Trump that the future of Greenland is a matter for the Greenlandic people to decide. This conversation follows Trump's controversial suggestion last week about the United States potentially acquiring the vast Arctic island, which is an autonomous territory under Danish sovereignty.

Frederiksen's call with Trump lasted for 45 minutes and highlighted Denmark's commitment to enhancing security in the Arctic region. She reinforced the sentiments expressed by Greenland's Prime Minister, Mute Egede, who firmly stated that “Greenland is not for sale.” This response comes in light of recurrent discussions surrounding Greenland’s political status, particularly as a majority of its population seems increasingly interested in independence from Denmark.

Despite Trump’s silence following the call, he shared a 2019 poll on his TruthSocial account indicating that 68% of Greenlanders favor independence. This has prompted speculation about a future referendum, which Denmark has pledged to honor, underscoring a significant shift in the dialogue around Greenland's autonomy.

Historically, Trump previously voiced his interest in purchasing Greenland, a proposal met with ridicule by Frederiksen. This led to Trump abruptly canceling a planned trip to Denmark in 2019 after she deemed the acquisition suggestion “absurd.” Adding to the tension, last week, he threatened to impose high tariffs on Denmark unless the country acquiesced to his intentions regarding Greenland—an ultimatum that has alarmed Danish industry leaders given that the US accounts for Denmark's second-largest export market.

In response to these developments, Prime Minister Frederiksen convened what local media described as a “crisis meeting” with key business leaders, including representatives from major corporations like Carlsberg and Novo Nordisk, notorious for its diabetes and obesity treatments popular in the United States. On top of that, Frederiksen is set to host an extraordinary Foreign Policy Council meeting involving various parliament members, showcasing the seriousness of the issue for Denmark.

The Greenland parliamentary member Aaja Chemnitz expressed her satisfaction with the Danish government's stance that decisions regarding Greenland must be made by its residents. Meanwhile, opposition MP Rasmus Jarlov criticized Frederiksen’s approach, branding it as an unacceptable renunciation of Denmark's rights over Greenland.

Text commentators from Denmark have noted that Trump’s focused interest in Greenland is apparent; this is not a mere whim but a topic of serious consideration for the former president as he embarks on a new chapter of his political narrative.

As discussions escalate, the stakes continue to rise for both Denmark and Greenland, as self-determination becomes a central theme. The dynamics of international relations, Arctic security, and the looming question of Greenlandic independence are bound to keep this issue at the forefront in the coming months.