The Prime Minister of Greenland has stated that if faced with a choice “here and now,” the Greenlandic people would opt for continued ties with Denmark over annexation by the United States.
Jens-Frederik Nielsen’s remarks, delivered at a joint press conference with Denmark’s Prime Minister, represent the strongest stance taken by a representative of the semi-autonomous Danish territory since renewed interest by former U.S. President Donald Trump in acquiring the island.
Trump has asserted the necessity of the U.S. “owning” Greenland for strategic defense against Russia and China. While the White House has floated the possibility of purchasing the island, it has not entirely dismissed the potential use of force to annex it.
Denmark, a fellow NATO member, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has cautioned that any military intervention would jeopardize the trans-Atlantic defense alliance.
When questioned about Nielsen’s comments on Tuesday, Trump responded, “That’s their problem, I disagree with him… That’s going to be a big problem for him.”
Despite its low population density, Greenland’s geographic location between North America and the Arctic makes it strategically valuable for early warning systems against missile attacks and for monitoring maritime activity in the region.
Trump has repeatedly emphasized Greenland’s importance to U.S. national security, alleging, without substantiation, that it is “covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place.”
The U.S. currently maintains a permanent military presence of over 100 personnel at its Pituffik base in northwest Greenland, a facility operated by the U.S. since World War II.
Existing agreements with Denmark grant the U.S. the authority to deploy an unlimited number of troops to Greenland.
However, Trump told reporters in Washington last week that a lease agreement was insufficient, stating that the U.S. “had to have ownership” and “NATO’s got to understand that.”
At the press conference in Copenhagen, Frederiksen firmly condemned the “completely unacceptable pressure from our closest ally.”
She cautioned that “there are many indications that the most challenging part is ahead of us.”
The Greenlandic Prime Minister characterized the situation as “facing a geopolitical crisis,” but reiterated the island’s position:
“If we have to choose between the United States and Denmark here and now, we choose Denmark,” he affirmed.
“One thing must be clear to everyone. Greenland does not want to be owned by the United States. Greenland does not want to be governed by the United States. Greenland does not want to be part of the United States.”
The Copenhagen press conference precedes a planned trip to the U.S. by Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and his Greenlandic counterpart Vivian Motzfeldt to meet with Vice-President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Denmark’s NATO allies, including major European nations and Canada, have voiced their support, issuing statements affirming that “only Denmark and Greenland can decide on matters concerning their relations.”
While emphasizing their shared commitment to Arctic security with the U.S., they stressed that this must be achieved collectively by allies, including the United States.
They also called for “upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders.”
Concerns about the territory’s future have resurfaced following Trump’s authorization of military force against Venezuela on Saturday to seize its president, Nicolás Maduro.
Trump previously made an offer to purchase Greenland in 2019, during his first presidential term, but was informed that it was not for sale.
In recent years, there has been increased interest in Greenland’s natural resources, including rare earth minerals, uranium, and iron, which are becoming more accessible due to climate change-induced ice melt. Scientists also believe it may possess significant oil and gas reserves.
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