The residents of Greenland are looking to Canada for support amidst concerns of potential annexation by the United States, according to Governor General Mary Simon.
Simon, a former ambassador to Denmark and Canada’s first ambassador for Circumpolar Affairs, revealed that she has had conversations with Greenlanders who are feeling unsettled about U.S. President Donald Trump’s expressed interest in incorporating their territory into the U.S.
“They feel that it is crucial for Canada to provide substantial support to ensure that they maintain their relationship with Denmark intact,” Simon told CBC News.
“They are also anxious about the constantly changing information in the media. Despite trying to carry on with their daily lives, they are deeply affected by these uncertainties.”
Greenland, a self-governing territory under Denmark, handles most of its internal affairs independently, while its foreign policy and defense are overseen by Copenhagen.
With a population of around 56,000, approximately 90% of the inhabitants are of Inuit or mixed Inuit and Danish descent.
Strengthening Bonds with Mexico
While concluding a two-day trip in Mexico City, Simon, who is Inuk and the first Indigenous Governor General of Canada, shared insights with CBC News on Tuesday.
She engaged with representatives from various Indigenous communities on Monday and held discussions with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Tuesday.
“I was delighted to meet with the Mexican president. She is a remarkable individual who has made Indigenous matters a top priority in her leadership,” noted Simon.
Simon aimed to reinforce the relationship between Canada and Mexico, building on the groundwork laid by Prime Minister Mark Carney, who previously met with Sheinbaum in Mexico last September.
The Carney administration has emphasized enhancing ties with Mexico. Minister of Trade Dominic LeBlanc from Canada is leading a significant trade delegation to Mexico next month.
Both Canada and Mexico are part of the trilateral trade agreement with the United States known as the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), currently undergoing reassessment for renewal.
“We have various areas to further collaborate on, especially in light of the upcoming CUSMA discussions. Maintaining robust bilateral relations with Mexico is crucial,” emphasized Simon.
“Advancing our continued collaboration is of utmost importance to me. This trip has been very productive, and I hope to have contributed sufficiently to advance our joint priorities between Canada and Mexico.”
‘Optimism for the Future’
Simon’s meeting with Sheinbaum occurred shortly after Prime Minister Mark Carney’s address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, which highlighted the current dominance of major powers in global affairs.
Carney emphasized that middle-power nations like Canada and Mexico faced a decision to either compete against each other or unite to forge a new path.
Carney also affirmed Canada’s solidarity with Greenland and Denmark.
Simon encourages Canadians to read Carney’s speech from Davos in its entirety.
“I urge Canadians to delve into the speech and comprehend Canada’s stance in this challenging contemporary world,” stated Simon.
Simon is set to travel to Nuuk, Greenland, next month with Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand to inaugurate a Canadian consulate.
During the same trip, she is scheduled to deliver a speech at a conference in Norway.
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