U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday dismissed Greenland’s rejection of U.S. control, responding sharply to remarks by the island’s prime minister and signalling continued interest in the Arctic territory.
Speaking as he walked toward Marine One, Trump said he did not know Greenland’s leader and warned that the stance would be “a big problem,” sharpening diplomatic tensions with Denmark, which governs Greenland as an autonomous territory and is a close U.S. ally within NATO.
“Well, that's their problem. I disagree with him. I don't know who he is. Don't know anything about him. But that's gonna be a big problem for him,” said Trump.
Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen had reiterated Greenland's commitment to Denmark, dismissing the prospect of becoming a U.S. territory.
"We face a geopolitical crisis, and if we have to choose between the U.S. and Denmark here and now, then we choose Denmark," Nielsen told reporters in Copenhagen on Tuesday, standing alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. "We stand united in the Kingdom of Denmark."
Trump’s comments came ahead of high-level talks in Washington on Wednesday, where Danish and Greenlandic foreign ministers are due to meet U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Danish officials have said the meeting is intended to address growing tensions through direct dialogue.
The U.S. president has repeatedly argued that Greenland is critical to American national security, citing its strategic Arctic location, mineral resources and concerns about Russian and Chinese influence. His remarks have intensified pressure on Copenhagen, which retains responsibility for Greenland’s foreign policy and defence.
Denmark has acknowledged the strain the dispute is placing on relations with Washington while stressing the importance of managing disagreements within NATO.
Residents in Greenland's snow-covered capital, Nuuk, expressed support for remaining part of Denmark and called for a pause in independence discussions ahead of Wednesday's high-level talks.
Pensioner Charloote Heilmann said, “He (U.S. President Donald Trump) is unfair to us because I can't imagine living in an American living situation, because I can never imagine living in a place other than where nature is the best of the best in the world.”
Tour Guide Casper Frank Moller said, “No matter what, we as a Greenlandic people are up for diplomacy, we are up for justice and we're not going to grab the sword. We're not going to go into any kind of warfare. What we're going to find is, hopefully, some kind of diplomatic solution."
"I think that's exactly what (Greenlandic Foreign Minister) Vivian Motzfeldt is going to do tomorrow, to find some kind of approach, find some kind of a middle way to make sure that we can continue in a peaceful way,” he added.
Copenhagen is also moving to strengthen its Arctic defence posture, including expanded military cooperation and future NATO exercises.
The exchange highlights rising geopolitical competition in the Arctic, where alliance politics, security concerns and great-power rivalry are increasingly shaping debate over Greenland’s future.
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Despite losing his bloc's majority in Israel's 120-seat Knesset in a hotly contested election, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has managed to remain in the lead after 70 per cent of votes were tallied on Wednesday. Figures are subject to change as counting continues.
Russia and Ukraine have begun a regional ceasefire to allow the start of a humanitarian effort in the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky, both sides said on Tuesday, but they continue strikes elsewhere, including the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.
Russian strikes hit several parts of Ukraine overnight, injuring at least six people and targeting energy and port infrastructure, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said U.S. warnings about imminent Russian ballistic missile attacks had resumed.
Nearly two years after the 20 October 2024 parliamentary elections, Iraq’s Kurdistan Region remains without a cabinet. The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) won 39 of 100 seats and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) 23, leaving neither able to govern alone.
The Pentagon is prepared to launch potentially major military operations against Iran within 96 hours of receiving an order from U.S. President Donald Trump, with sufficient forces already deployed in the Middle East, according to a CNN report.
Qatari mediators have presented Iran with a new proposal to end the war with the U.S. and Israel, with Tehran expected to respond by the end of the week, according to an official briefed on the negotiations.
At least 10 people were killed after two high-speed trains collided in Spain on Wednesday, forcing the suspension of services on a major rail route linking Madrid with the south of the country.
Despite losing his bloc's majority in Israel's 120-seat Knesset in a hotly contested election, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has managed to remain in the lead after 70 per cent of votes were tallied on Wednesday. Figures are subject to change as counting continues.
Turkmenistan Airlines has increased flights to key international destinations, including Seoul, Milan, Kazan and Istanbul, as the Central Asian country moves to meet rising travel demand and strengthen its global aviation links.
Here's your AnewZ Daily Brief for 28 October 2026, exploring five election stories shaping world politics, from leadership struggles in Israel and mounting economic pressures to election security concerns in the U.S. and political fallout in Brazil.
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