The Prime Ministers of Greenland and Denmark have urged U.S. President Donald Trump to cease his threats of annexing Greenland, emphasizing the territory’s autonomy and the inappropriateness of such claims. This call to action follows Trump’s recent comments asserting that the United States requires Greenland for its defense amid a changing geopolitical landscape.
During an interview with The Atlantic, Trump reiterated his belief in the strategic importance of Greenland, stating, “We need Greenland. It’s so strategic.” He further claimed that the territory is currently surrounded by vessels from Russia and China which, he argued, underscores the necessity for U.S. oversight in the region.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded decisively on social media, declaring, “It makes absolutely no sense to talk about the U.S. needing to take over Greenland.” She asserted that the U.S. has no right to annex any territory within the Danish kingdom, affirming Denmark’s status as a NATO ally protected by the alliance’s security guarantees. “I would therefore strongly urge the United States to stop the threats against a historically close ally,” she added, highlighting the sentiments of the Greenlandic people who have expressed their resistance to any notion of being “for sale.”
Greenland’s Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, described Trump’s remarks as “disrespectful” and offensive, particularly when the U.S. President connected Greenland’s status with military intervention and compared it to Venezuela. Nielsen stated, “When the president of the United States talks about ‘we need Greenland’… it’s not just wrong. This is so disrespectful.”
In response to the tensions, Jeff Landry, the newly appointed U.S. envoy to Greenland, clarified that the U.S. aims not to conquer but to engage in discussions with Greenlandic residents. Speaking on Fox News, Landry noted, “Well, I think our discussions should be with the actual people in Greenland — the Greenlanders.” He emphasized the importance of understanding the local population’s needs and aspirations.
Trump’s appointment of Landry was accompanied by a declaration on social media, stating that Landry “understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security.” This remark reflects the ongoing U.S. interest in the Arctic region, where both China and Russia have been seeking increased access to natural resources and strategic waterways.
The geopolitical significance of Greenland was further highlighted by Colonel Susan Meyers, the former commander of a U.S. Space Force base in the territory, who was dismissed after sending an email that deviated from official messaging during Vice President JD Vance‘s visit to Greenland. Vance underscored the importance of U.S. leadership in the Arctic, stating, “We need to ensure that America is leading in the Arctic, because we know that if America doesn’t, other nations will fill the gap where we fall behind.”
As tensions continue, both Danish and Greenlandic leaders remain resolute in their commitment to the autonomy of Greenland, firmly rejecting the notion of any U.S. takeover while seeking respectful dialogue about their future.
