Greenland’s Prime Minister, Mute Egede, has reiterated his call for independence from Denmark, stressing the need for Greenland to shape its own future, including choosing trade partners and international cooperation.

This comes after Donald Trump suggested the U.S. could acquire Greenland, which was a Danish colony until 1953.

Greenland established an independent parliament in 1979, but Denmark still controls its foreign and defense policies.

Calls for independence have increased in recent years, partly due to past Danish misconduct.

Egede emphasized that Greenland’s 57,000 citizens should decide on independence but did not set a referendum date, The Telegraph has reported.

Greenland’s economy remains dependent on fishing and Danish grants, despite its mineral wealth and strategic importance.

Written by B.C. Begley