By Stine Jacobsen and Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen COPENHAGEN (Reuters) -Greenland may become independent if its residents want, but it won't become a U.S. state, Denmark's foreign minister said on Wednesday after U.

Egede’s remarks, which follow a Dec. 22 post on Truth Social by President-elect Donald Trump advocating for the “ownership and control” of Greenland, focused on the basis of secession from Denmark.

History and current conditions have shown that our cooperation with the Kingdom of Denmark has not succeeded in creating full equality,' says Mute Egede - Anadolu Ajansı

Greenland's prime minister gave a speech telling Denmark to gain more independence as Trump called for the U.S. to purchase the island.

Greenland's Prime Minister Mute Egede emphasised his desire to pursue independence from Denmark, its former colonial ruler, during his New Year speech, marking a significant change in the rhetoric surrounding the Arctic island's future.

Donald Trump also vows to change the Gulf of Mexico's name and repeats promises to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen rebuffed US President-elect Donald Trump’s wish to buy Greenland but welcomed US investment in the self-ruling territory.