N UUK, Greenland — Greenland’s likely new prime minister on Wednesday rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s effort to take control of the island, saying Greenlanders must be allowed to decide their own future as it moves toward independence from Denmark.

Greenland's centre-right opposition has won a surprise general election victory - in a vote dominated by independence and US President Donald Trump's pledge to take over the semi-autonomous territory. The Democratic party, which favours a gradual approach to independence from Denmark - achieved around 30% of the vote, near-complete results show.

Greenland's pro-business Demokraatit Party surged to victory in a shake-up that could boost U.S. President Donald Trump's attempts to tap the island's mineral wealth, with the victors keen for reforms favouring private enterprise and mining.