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”.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are facing renewed Western scrutiny after the EU expanded sanctions targeting Russia's supply chains and the U.S. introduced...
The U.S. military said it completed a fresh wave of strikes on Iran late on Thursday, marking the 13th consecutive night of American attacks. The late...
A fast-moving wildfire has forced more than 10,000 people to evacuate homes and camping sites near France's Atlantic coast as extreme heat and worseni...
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 23rd of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. strikes on Iran entered a 12th consecutive night, while Yemen's Houthis said they attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, urging President Donald Trump to warn Tehran it would be held responsible for any future Houthi attacks.
The U.S. military said it completed a fresh wave of strikes on Iran late on Thursday, marking the 13th consecutive night of American attacks. The latest operation lasted more than two hours, according to U.S. Central Command.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 24th July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Aleksandar Vučić's visit to Kyiv on 15 July appeared to send a geopolitical signal. But the significance of the trip lies less in the journey itself than in the limits Serbia carefully observed.
Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are facing renewed Western scrutiny after the EU expanded sanctions targeting Russia's supply chains and the U.S. introduced new tariffs affecting trade with Central Asia.
A fast-moving wildfire has forced more than 10,000 people to evacuate homes and camping sites near France's Atlantic coast as extreme heat and worsening drought continue to fuel wildfires across Europe.
Fresh off attracting $4.3 billion in foreign investment and loans during the first half of 2026, Tashkent is using the Global Business Services Forum (GBSF) to showcase Uzbekistan's growing appeal as a destination for international investment in technology, outsourcing and artificial intelligence.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has begun his first week working from No 10 North in Manchester, promising to shift power away from London, strengthen regional decision-making and drive economic growth across the country.
The European Union has adopted its 21st sanctions package against Russia, imposing its most extensive economic penalties in four years. The measures expand restrictions across the financial, military, cyber and energy sectors while introducing new enforcement tools and broader export controls.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment