Nuuk: Greenland has firmly rejected renewed talk from the United States about taking control of the island, saying its future cannot be decided by outsiders. The strong response came after comments by Donald Trump suggesting that the United States needs Greenland for national security reasons.
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen said there should be no more talk or fantasies about annexation. He stressed that Greenland belongs to its people and that decisions about its future must be made by Greenlanders, in cooperation with Denmark, which oversees the island’s foreign and defence policy.
Trump’s remarks revived a long running issue that first surfaced during his earlier presidency, when he openly discussed the idea of the United States buying Greenland. This time, his comments came amid wider global tensions and recent US actions abroad, which raised concern among European leaders.
Denmark reacted quickly, with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen urging Trump to stop making statements that question Greenland’s sovereignty. She said Greenland is not for sale and warned that such rhetoric damages trust between close allies. Danish officials also pointed out that existing defence agreements already allow the United States to protect its strategic interests in the Arctic without changing borders.
Greenland is an autonomous territory with its own government and parliament, while remaining part of the Kingdom of Denmark. It is strategically important due to its location in the Arctic and the presence of a major US military base, Pituffik Space Base, which plays a key role in missile warning and space surveillance.
Leaders from other European countries also voiced support for Greenland and Denmark. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the future of Greenland must be decided only by the people of Greenland, and not by other nations. Several European Union leaders echoed similar views, calling for respect for international law and sovereignty.
Within Greenland, public opinion remains strongly opposed to any form of annexation. Local leaders say the island is focused on strengthening self rule, protecting its culture, and managing its natural resources responsibly, rather than becoming part of another country.
The latest exchange has added strain to US European relations at a time when cooperation in the Arctic is seen as increasingly important. For Greenland’s leaders, however, the message is clear. The island’s future is not open for negotiation by foreign powers.