Denmark protests back Greenland as Trump threatens tariffs over Arctic island

Thousands of protesters rallied across Denmark on Saturday in a show of solidarity with Greenland after Donald Trump threatened to use economic pressure, including tariffs, and did not rule out force to secure U.S. control of the Arctic island, demonstrators and organisers said.

The protests came a day after Trump said he was considering using tariffs against countries opposing U.S. plans related to Greenland.

Crowds gathered in Copenhagen’s City Hall Square before marching to the U.S. embassy, chanting “Greenland is not for sale” and “Hands off Greenland”, while waving Greenland’s red-and-white Erfalasorput flag.

Protests were also reported elsewhere in Denmark, with a further rally planned later on Saturday in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital.

“I am very grateful for the huge support we as Greenlanders receive,” said Julie Rademacher, chair of Uagut, an organisation for Greenlanders in Denmark. “Greenland and the Greenlanders have involuntarily become the front in the fight for democracy and human rights.”

Reuters video showed thousands of demonstrators, though police and organisers declined to give an official crowd estimate.

Trump said on Friday that he could use tariffs to pressure countries that do not support Washington’s position on Greenland, arguing that the island is vital for U.S. national security.

Speaking during a White House roundtable on rural healthcare, Trump said economic measures could be deployed against governments that “don’t go along with Greenland”, recalling how he previously used the threat of tariffs to influence French drug-pricing policy.

Earlier this week, he said anything short of total U.S. control of Greenland would be “unacceptable”.

• White House calls Greenland talks 'productive' despite Danish pushback

There is no agreement or legal framework allowing a transfer of sovereignty, and both Denmark and Greenland have rejected the idea of U.S. control, stressing that Greenland’s future can only be decided by its people.

Trump’s repeated statements have triggered an unprecedented diplomatic crisis between Washington and Copenhagen, both founding members of NATO, and have drawn sharp criticism from European allies.

Greenland, home to about 57,000 people, has enjoyed broad self-rule since 1979 but remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark, which retains control over defence and foreign policy and funds much of the territory’s administration.

All five parties in Greenland’s parliament ultimately favour independence, though they differ on timing and have recently said they would rather remain within Denmark than become part of the United States.

The demonstrations were organised by Greenlandic groups in cooperation with ActionAid Denmark. “We demand respect for the Danish Realm and for Greenland’s right to self-determination,” said Camilla Siezing, chair of Inuit, the Joint Association of Greenlandic Local Associations in Denmark. About 17,000 Greenlanders live in Denmark, according to official figures.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that just 17% of Americans approve of Trump’s efforts to acquire Greenland, with large majorities of both Democrats and Republicans opposing the use of military force. Trump has dismissed the poll as “fake”.

Why does Greenland matter?

Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, which retains control over defence and foreign policy. While Greenland is not a NATO member itself, it is tied to the alliance through Denmark and plays a growing role in transatlantic security.

Its strategic importance has increased as Arctic ice melts, opening new shipping routes between North America and Europe. The island also holds significant, largely untapped mineral resources, including rare earths vital for advanced technologies and defence industries.

The United States already maintains a military presence at Pituffik Space Base, which is central to missile warning and space surveillance for the U.S. and NATO.

NATO focus and diplomatic pushback

Trump’s comments come as NATO sharpens its focus on the Arctic amid growing competition with Russia and China.

Troops from five European countries were recently deployed to Greenland for a short mission aimed at strengthening coordination in Arctic conditions, while Denmark has announced plans to boost its military presence there with allied support.

• European allies send small troop teams to Greenland
• Denmark boosts military presence in Greenland with NATO allies
• Sweden is sending military officers to Greenland

Diplomatic engagement has intensified in Washington. The foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland met this week with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as allies seek to manage the fallout from Trump’s remarks.

European officials have warned that linking tariffs or other economic pressure to Greenland could escalate trade disputes and further strain transatlantic relations, adding to geopolitical uncertainty in the Arctic.

• Denmark, U.S. clash over Greenland in frank White House talks
• Denmark says talks fail to shift U.S. position on Greenland

Trump has not outlined a clear timeline or legal mechanism for imposing tariffs linked to Greenland, leaving allies uncertain about Washington’s next steps.

With NATO increasing its Arctic footprint and European allies reinforcing their presence in Greenland, tensions are likely to persist, potentially shaping both transatlantic relations and the future balance of power in the region.

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