While Vivian Motzfeldt (S) and Danish Lars Løkke Rasmussen sat in Washington D.C. with Marco Rubio and J.D. Vance on Wednesday, quite a few people at home were watching.
One of them was Ellen K. Frederiksen, who, together with her husband, followed the historic meeting from Qassiarsuk intently.
- We were on our way home from Qaqortoq yesterday, but just got home to follow the meeting, she says over the phone.
- We were glued to the screen and were quite excited, she says.
As the meeting began to drag on, tension rose at Ellen K. Frederiksen's home.
- Because we can remember the meeting he had with Zelensky (Ukrainian President, ed.), where it did not take long before the meeting was interrupted due to Trump's rude behavior, she says.
- And so we thought that since they've been sitting in there for so long, there must be some hope that something is on the way.
From the meeting room to unleash the excitement in front of the world press, came the Greenland Minister for Foreign Affairs and Research, Vivian Motzfeldt (S), and Denmark's Minister of Foreign Affairs as well.
The conclusion was that a path has now been opened for conversation and diplomacy with the Americans – even though the US president continues to hold on to his dreams of ownership of Greenland.
A scenario that worries Ellen K. Frederiksen:
- We don't know how and what will happen if we come under America. But we know very well what they have done to the indigenous peoples in the United States, so we certainly don't want to be a part of that, she says.
Prior to the meeting, Sermitsiaq also spoke with David Qujaukitsoq, who lives in the other part of the country: Qaanaaq.
He has also been following closely in recent weeks.
- We follow up. I watch Sky News every day, CBS News, Fox News and the Danish media. BT, Politiken – TikTok. You name it, he lists.
According to him, the residents of Qaanaaq are also excited about how it will all end. However, their attitudes towards the Americans and the United States are different.
- There are some who are happy for the Americans – not to mention Donald Trump, but there are many who are happy for Americans, he says.
- But of course I also know that there are people on the other side who are not so happy with the president, says David Qujaukitsoq.
Trump's attention brings opportunities for East Greenland
Tasiilaq is also currently being monitored. At least according to Aron Kristiansen, a taxi driver in the city.
He himself believes that Trump's statements about annexing Greenland are not entirely bad.
- On the positive side, they have created a lot of attention, which provides new opportunities, he says.
- The disadvantage is that many have been discouraged, and that there is a lot of busyness among the politicians. Cases that otherwise deal with internal matters in Greenland have stalled because the politicians are busy with Trump.
A future scenario where Greenland can gain financially by agreeing to a purchase offer from the Americans holds opportunities for Tasiilaq, believes Aron Kristiansen.
- The situation is clearly worrying many of our compatriots, but at the same time there have also been announcements about buying the country. In light of the massive neglect of East Greenland, this can also be seen as a possible positive consequence.
Similar tones can be found in Qaanaaq.
Here, David Qujaukitsoq sees that a closer bond with the English-speaking neighbors can mean a better future for the fishing and trapping industry in Qaanaaq and the surrounding settlements.
"We need to make changes. People feel let down up here," says David Qujaukitsoq.
- The last five years haven't been too good for the industrial prisoners up here.
- We don't need to be afraid.
David Qujaukitsoq does not believe that one should be afraid of the US annexing Greenland.
- The Americans can't harm the Greenlanders. We have no enemies. We don't need to be afraid. That's my opinion, he says.
But while it is the annual Christmas gifts from the American military base Pituffik Space Base that David Qujaukitsoq emphasizes when he talks about the USA, it is something else that Ellen K. Frederiksen 2000 in Qassiarsuk focuses on.
- For several years, we have been so afraid that a mine will open in Narsaq – the Kuannersuitminen, which the Greenland Government has closed, she says.
- If we become part of America, I'm really afraid that he (Trump, ed.) will start selling all our minerals to those who want to mine them and start mining in our country, around us. That's the worst case scenario.
However, she maintains that Greenland, Denmark and the United States now appear to be talking to each other after Wednesday's meeting in Washington.
- It is really great to have a meeting with the USA. That they – instead of doing it through the media – sit down together and talk together. That is always the start of something good, I think.
