Leaders in Denmark and Greenland on Sunday urged U.S. President Donald Trump to stop suggesting the United States should take over Greenland, after he reiterated the idea in an interview with The Atlantic. The comments reignited diplomatic tensions between Washington and the Danish Kingdom.
Frederiksen: Greenland Is Not for Sale
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen rejected Trump’s remarks, saying the United States has no right to annex any part of the Danish Kingdom. She urged Washington to halt what she described as threats toward a close ally and emphasized that Greenland’s people have made clear they do not want to be taken over.
Greenland Leaders Call Comments Disrespectful
Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen also condemned the statements, saying it was wrong and disrespectful for Trump to link Greenland to Venezuela and military intervention. His comments followed Trump’s claim that the U.S. “needs” Greenland for defense purposes.
Venezuela Comparison Raises Alarm
Trump’s remarks came a day after the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, fueling concern in Denmark that similar rhetoric could be applied to Greenland, which remains a self-governing territory within the Danish Kingdom.
Strategic Importance of the Arctic Island
Greenland’s location between Europe and North America makes it vital to U.S. missile defense, while its mineral resources have drawn increased attention as Washington seeks to reduce reliance on China. In December, Trump named Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland, a move that sparked fresh criticism from Copenhagen and Nuuk.
Autonomy and Danish Support
Greenland gained the right to declare independence under a 2009 agreement but continues to rely heavily on Danish subsidies. Denmark has worked to improve relations with Greenland while also boosting Arctic defense investments in an effort to manage tensions with the Trump administration.
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