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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