Leaders from Greenland and Denmark have firmly rejected President Donald Trump’s repeated assertions that the United States should acquire Greenland. In a joint declaration, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen proclaimed that “Greenland is for the Greenlanders.” In doing so, they powerfully reasserted the territory’s claim to self-determination and sovereignty.
Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark with a population of about 56,000. This interest quickly turned the island into a firestorm of geopolitical debate, particularly after Trump himself declared interest in the island as a long-term strategic asset. Add to that the President’s own argument that purchasing Greenland would boost U.S. security, considering its strategic location between North America and Europe. Aside from its many political delicacies, it happens to sit on the shortest route for missiles to cross between Russia and the U.S.
Regardless of these claims, almost all of Greenland’s roughly 57,000 residents oppose becoming part of the United States. In a poll conducted last week, around 85% of Greenlanders said they were against such a move. Since gaining the right to declare independence from Denmark in 2009, Greenland has increasingly tried to flex its independence muscle.
His most extraordinary statement was this hard line statement, saying he would not rule out violence to take Greenland. This assertion has caused an uproar among Danish and Greenlandic officials. The situation escalated further with Trump’s appointment of Jeff Landry, the governor of Louisiana, as U.S. special envoy to Greenland. Landry said it was a privilege to serve in this unpaid role. He should focus primarily on advancing U.S. interests in the territory through his efforts.
Landry’s appointment and Trump’s comments set off a wave of outrage. Previously, Prime Ministers Frederiksen and Nielsen insisted on recognition of the sovereignty of their borders. They reiterated their position by stating, “We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again: you cannot annex other countries.”
Former Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen was not pleased about the U.S. appointment. He explicitly called for sovereignty in the Kingdom of Denmark. This sovereignty extends over Denmark, the Faroe Islands as well as Greenland. “As long as we have a kingdom in Denmark that consists of Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Greenland, we cannot accept that there are those who undermine our sovereignty,” he said.
The United States has demonstrated heightened interest in Greenland since Trump’s election, with several prominent American officials visiting the territory. Earlier this year, Donald Trump Jr. made headlines after a trip to Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. Then in March, JD Vance—the vice-chairperson of the Commission—visited a U.S. military installation in the very same region.
Frederiksen and Nielsen have doubled-down on their demands for respect for Greenland’s self-governance. Nielsen stated, “This does not change anything for us at home. We have our own democracy, our own decisions and a strong community that stands firm. Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders.”
Against the backdrop of constant national security and territorial integrity conversations, Trump’s administration sails forward with military ferocity towards realizing its interests in Greenland. They meet staunch opposition from Greenland’s leaders.
“Jeff understands how essential Greenland is to our National Security, and will strongly advance our Country’s Interests for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Allies, and indeed, the World.” – Donald Trump