Greenland’s prime minister is pushing for independence after Trump’s comments about the acquisition

Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute Egede recently announced his intentions for the island’s future, saying it is “necessary” to take major steps towards independence from Denmark.

Egede’s comments follow a Dec. 22 post on Truth Social President-elect Donald Trump advocating “possession and control” of Greenland, focused on separation from Denmark.

“The coming new election period must create these new steps together with the citizens, building on the foundations that have already been created,” Egede said. “It is time for us to step up and shape our own future, including who we will work closely with and who will be our trading partners.”

Houses are seen on the coastline in Nuuk, Greenland. (Marley Miller/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

AMB. CARLA SANDZ: THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS DRAGGED IN GREENLAND – WHY WE HOPE TO STRENGTHEN OUR RELATIONSHIP

In his first term, Trump tried to buy the mineral-rich, geographically important area in what he called a “big real estate deal.” This was previously reported by Fox News Digital.

“Greenland is ours,” Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede said last week. “We are not for sale and never will be for sale. We must not lose our long struggle for freedom.

Offshore drilling rig Sedco 709 in Davies Strait, between southwest Greenland and Baffin Island. (Getty Images)

American interest in Greenland dates back to the 1800s.

TRUMP: US IS CONSIDERING PURCHASING GREENLAND

In 1867, the State Department considered buying both Greenland and Iceland, recognizing their strategic importance, Fox News reported. After the Second World WarDenmark rejected President Harry Truman’s offer of $100 million for the island.

Anne-Sophie Toernso Olesen and Alexander Lüders Rix Bach of Egedal Municipality are received by Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II, Crown Prince Frederik and Prince Christian at a gala dinner for Prince Christian’s 18th birthday at Christiansborg Castle in Copenhagen on October 15, 2023. 200 young people from 98 municipalities of the country, as well as from the Faroe Islands and Greenland participated in the gala dinner on October 15. (Photo by Emil Nicolai Helms / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP) / Denmark OUT (Photo by EMIL NICOLAI HELMS/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Acquisition of land would mark the largest expansion of American territory in history, surpassing the Louisiana Purchase.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM

“Greenland is ours,” Greenland Prime Minister Mute Egede said last week. “We are not for sale and never will be for sale. We must not lose our long struggle for freedom.

Fox News Digital’s Jasmine Baer contributed to this story.