Denmark and Greenland Reject US Ownership Claims Amid Rising Tensions

Frederiksen affirms Denmark's sovereignty over Greenland, expressing commitment to defend the territory amidst US President Trump’s controversial ambitions.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen firmly stated that Denmark will not relinquish Greenland to the United States, emphasizing her commitment during an official visit to the Arctic territory. This response comes in light of Donald Trump’s repeated claims regarding the annexation of Greenland, which he maintains is pivotal for US security interests. During a press conference, Frederiksen made it clear, "You can't annex other countries," while standing alongside Greenland's newly elected Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and his predecessor Mute Egede in a display of solidarity against perceived threats.

The three-day visit from Frederiksen follows a recent US delegation led by Vice President JD Vance, which included renewed assertions from Trump about acquiring Greenland. Vance’s remarks underscored the US’s disappointing security spending in Greenland, which drew scrutiny from both Danish and Greenlandic officials. Upon her arrival, Frederiksen commented on the pressure the US has placed on Greenland in terms of sovereignty, emphasizing the importance of maintaining unity in the face of such challenges.

Frederiksen reaffirmed Denmark's commitment to bolster military presence in the Arctic and offered collaboration with the US in regional defense. Still, she expressed disillusionment, asking, "How can we trust the country we have looked up to for so long?" She and her delegation toured the Greenlandic capital of Nuuk on a Danish navy patrol boat, receiving an enthusiastic welcome from local residents.

Egede, who governed Greenland prior to Nielsen, highlighted the historical cooperation with the US, which spans nearly eight decades, including the establishment of the Pituffik Space Base under a 1951 treaty. While insisting that Greenland is not for sale, he indicated an interest in continued trade with the US. Trump's initial suggestion to purchase Greenland emerged during his first presidential term, stirring ongoing debates about the island’s future governance.

Experts in Arctic affairs affirm the importance of visible support from Danish leaders, such as Frederiksen, to Greenlanders, given their historical context. Greenland, the largest island globally, has been under Danish control for approximately three centuries, maintaining self-rule in domestic matters while Denmark manages foreign and defense policies. Although a majority of political factions in Greenland favor independence, they express reluctance towards becoming a US territory, advocating instead for gradual detachment from Denmark.

Since 2009, Greenland has possessed the right to initiate an independence referendum, with calls for such a vote becoming more prominent in recent years amidst rising national sentiment and political discourse regarding the path forward.