On the outskirts of Ilulissat, northwest Greenland, Fleming Lauritzen looks after his sled dogs. "In 2016, when the Trump-Putin thing started, we named two of our dogs after them. In the meantime, our Putin has passed away. But Trump is still with us."
Difficult relations with Denmark
Fleming Lauritzen is Danish, and his wife, Anne Sophie, is Greenlandic. Together they raise 20 dogs and offer tours for tourists. The couple speaks Danish to each other. However, they speak Greenlandic to the dogs.
The two live in harmony. But... when it comes to relations between Greenland and Denmark, things get complicated. For decades, Greenland has fought to gain more rights from the old colonial power. To this day, the island still officially belongs to the Danish kingdom, ARD recalls.
The fact that US President Donald Trump is now also encroaching on them is not only terrifying to Fleming and Anne. "Greenland should belong to the Greenlanders. Everyone here thinks so. It's about our land, our future. Greenland belongs to us and no one else," says Anne Sophie.
The government in the capital Nuuk has the power to make decisions in many areas, but when it comes to the economy or security policy, the authorities in Copenhagen are competent. That is. on these issues, Greenland is dependent on Denmark, which is not to everyone's liking, ARD points out.
"We have never been equal"
Lars-Joren Kleist has a university degree, a master's degree, but currently drives a taxi. He worked in the administration for 20 years, but suddenly lost his job.
"I thought I would find something else. I applied for 40 positions, but without success. That depresses me," he tells the ARD team.
A good education, but not a good job. Many other Greenlanders are in this situation, Kleist assures.
A statue stands at the harbor, which is causing a lot of controversy in Greenland. It depicts Hans Egede, who arrived on the island as a missionary more than 300 years ago. For many, this is the beginning of oppression by Denmark.
"The Danes promise us that we will have equal rights, which is not yet a fact. We have never been equal. The truth is that they look down on us," says Lars-Joren Kleist.
Are you getting more from Trump?
The Greenland government has played along with Denmark for too long, Kleist says. He says Trump's interest in the island comes at the right time.
When US President Donald Trump Jr.'s son made a surprise visit to the island a few weeks ago, Kleist went to greet him and even wore a red hat with the words "Make America Great Again" written on it.
Lars-Joren Kleist believes the focus should be on Greenland's future. "It's not about whether Trump buys us or not, it's about us negotiating and getting the best for Greenland. It's about making something of our natural resources and achieving prosperity."
Greenland has rare earth metals, gold and diamonds. This would be enough to break away from Denmark completely, the ARD report goes on to say.
An attempt at division?
Anne Sophie and Fleming Lauritzen are concerned about Trump's intentions. They say the US president's claims to Greenland have upset many people on the island. "I often lie awake at night reading the news. You can really go crazy", says the Greenlander.
Fleming believes that Trump's comments and his son's visit shortly before the election are not accidental.
"The way Trump's son appeared here, in my opinion, was an attempt to divide the population. Because I think it's easier to conquer a country where the population is divided," the Dane told ARD.
The issue of Greenland's independence was also a topic in the election campaign. Anne Sophie and Fleming Lauritzen also want more rights for Greenland. However, they still want to maintain good relations with Denmark, and not fall into Trump's hands.
"Trump can't buy us" is a phrase that has been heard often in Greenland in recent weeks. It is not certain how many people think that way. But one thing is clear: the upcoming elections could change the country forever, says the ARD report from Ilulissat, Greenland.
Author: Christian Blenker (ARD)