The prime minister of Greenland called on the country to strive for greater independence from its mother country, Denmark, in a New Year’s address delivered this week, in light of the controversy surrounding President-elect Donald Trump’s calls for the U.S. to purchase the island.

Prime Minister Múte Egede said in the annual speech that Greenland must take greater control of its own diplomacy and international alliances, suggesting that deference to Denmark on international affairs has held the country back.