Greenland has sought to reassure its citizens that there is no imminent risk of a U.S. takeover, despite renewed remarks by President Donald Trump expressing interest in the Arctic island, Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said on Monday.
Speaking at a press conference in Nuuk, Nielsen stressed that Greenland is a democratic country and should not be compared to Venezuela, where the United States recently carried out a military operation that resulted in the seizure of the country’s leader. “We are not in the situation where we are thinking that a takeover of the country might happen overnight,” Nielsen said, adding that Greenland wants to strengthen its relationship with the United States.
Concerns resurfaced after Trump reiterated his desire to take over Greenland, telling The Atlantic magazine: “We do need Greenland, absolutely. We need it for defense.” Trump later told reporters aboard Air Force One that he would revisit the issue in the coming weeks.
In a Facebook post, Nielsen pushed back strongly against the idea of annexation, writing: “Enough is enough… No more fantasies about annexation.” Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also responded, saying Trump’s comments should be taken seriously but underlining that Greenland has repeatedly stated it does not want to become part of the United States.
Greenland is an autonomous Danish territory with a population of about 57,000. While it is not an independent NATO member, it is covered under Denmark’s membership of the alliance. Frederiksen warned that any U.S. military action against a NATO ally would have severe consequences, saying such a move would bring post-World War II security arrangements to a halt. “If the United States attacks another NATO country, everything stops,” Frederiksen said.
European leaders voiced support for Greenland and Denmark, emphasizing that decisions about the island’s future rest solely with its people. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Greenland’s future must be determined by Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark alone, while the European Union reiterated its commitment to national sovereignty.
Trump last month appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland. Landry has publicly supported the idea of incorporating the island into the United States.
Greenland’s strategic location between Europe and North America makes it important for the U.S. ballistic missile defense system, and its mineral resources are seen as valuable as Washington seeks to reduce reliance on Chinese exports. Despite this interest, Greenland’s leaders have made clear that closer cooperation with the United States does not mean surrendering sovereignty.
