The fate of Greenland is under the spotlight as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans to meet Danish officials next week. The US, led by President Donald Trump, claims it needs Greenland for national security. The vast Arctic island, mostly inhabited by indigenous Inuit, is nine times the size of the UK but has only 57,000 people. Many Greenlanders are worried. A pensioner said, "The US must never plant its flag in Greenland's capital." Another woman said she was "scared to death" of a possible US military takeover. Young pottery-maker Pilu Chemnitz said, "We are all very tired of the US president. We have always lived a quiet and peaceful life here." About 85% of Greenlanders oppose a US takeover. Many want independence from Denmark but also appreciate Danish subsidies that support their welfare. Poverty remains a problem in Inuit communities despite Greenland's rich natural resources. Pipaluk Lynge-Rasmussen, co-chair of Greenland's foreign affairs committee, said, "We have always worked towards independence... I hope the meeting will end with understanding and compromise ... maybe co-operating on trade, or mining, having more American [military] bases on Greenland, perhaps?" Despite the 1951 agreement allowing US troops in Greenland, the US military presence has shrunk significantly since the Cold War. Trump's interest is driven by national security concerns, access to rare minerals, and a strategic position close to North America. Opposition MP Pele Broberg said, "It's true, we are not for sale - but we are open for business. ... Right now we are a colony. We are made to import our goods from Denmark ... rather than from the US which is much closer." Greenland is seen as a key location for missile defense and tracking Russian and Chinese naval movements. However, China has accused the US of using the "China threat" as an excuse for selfish gains in the Arctic. NATO allies, including the UK, are urging the US to cooperate and avoid unilateral actions. While a US military takeover seems unlikely, the situation creates tension in the Arctic, a region long managed by the Arctic Council to keep peace among the eight Arctic nations. The balance in the Arctic could be shaken by growing competition between global powers, with Greenland caught in the middle.