Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has firmly pushed back against U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed interest in acquiring Greenland, declaring that the Arctic island “belongs to the Greenlanders.”
Speaking in Nuuk on Wednesday at the start of a three-day visit, Frederiksen said she was in Greenland to offer support during what she called a “very, very difficult situation.”
“The U.S. shall not take over Greenland. Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders,” she told reporters shortly after landing.
Her remarks followed a controversial visit by U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who accused Denmark of failing to protect Greenland and suggested the U.S. could offer better security for the strategically important island.
Frederiksen’s visit comes as geopolitical interest in the Arctic region intensifies, with Washington increasing its focus on Greenland’s natural resources and military value.
“We need to discuss foreign and security policy, geopolitics, and how we approach this very, very difficult task together,” Frederiksen said, stressing unity and equality within the Danish realm.
She pledged to ensure equal rights for Greenlanders and Danes and committed to strengthening Copenhagen’s partnership with Greenland in the face of rising international pressure.
Greenland’s incoming Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who is set to take office on April 7, welcomed Frederiksen’s visit, calling Denmark “Greenland’s closest partner.”
Nielsen reaffirmed Greenland’s ultimate goal of sovereignty, telling Reuters:
“We will strengthen our ties with Denmark until we can fulfil our wish to become a sovereign nation.”
He added that Greenland seeks a “respectful” relationship with the U.S., but warned:
“Talking about annexation and not respecting our sovereignty is not respectful. Let’s start by respecting each other and build a partnership on that.”
Relations between Denmark and Greenland have been complicated by past revelations of colonial mistreatment, and Trump's interest in the island has reignited local concerns about foreign control.
Analyst Ulrik Pram Gad of the Danish Institute for International Studies said Frederiksen’s visit is a signal — both to Greenland and Washington.
“It’s important for Denmark to show it stands with Greenland — and to remind the U.S. of that too,” he said.
While a majority of Greenland’s 57,000 residents support eventual independence, many remain wary of rapid separation due to concerns over economic vulnerability and U.S. pressure.
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