Several European leaders expressed their concerns on Tuesday regarding US President Donald Trump’s remarks about a potential American acquisition of Greenland. In response, they issued a statement reaffirming that the strategic, mineral-rich Arctic island “belongs to its people.” The leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom joined Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in defending the sovereignty of Greenland, a self-governing territory of the Kingdom of Denmark and a member of NATO.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also voiced support, announcing that Canada’s Governor General, Mary Simon, who is of Inuk descent, and Foreign Minister Anita Anand will visit Greenland early next month. Carney stated, “The future of Greenland and Denmark is determined exclusively by the people of Denmark,” during a press conference alongside Prime Minister Frederiksen at the Canadian Embassy in Paris.
Prime Minister Frederiksen noted on Monday that President Trump’s comments should be taken seriously. She remarked, “If the United States chooses to attack another NATO country militarily, then everything stops, including our NATO alliance and the security it has provided since the end of the Second World War.”
Today, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and the Danish PM issued a joint statement emphasising, “Greenland belongs to its people. It is solely the prerogative of Denmark and Greenland to make decisions regarding their future.”
The Statement says:
“Arctic security remains a key priority for Europe and it is critical for international and transatlantic security. NATO has made clear that the Arctic region is a priority and European Allies are stepping up. We and many other Allies have increased our presence, activities and investments, to keep the Arctic safe and to deter adversaries. The Kingdom of Denmark – including Greenland – is part of NATO. Security in the Arctic must therefore be achieved collectively, in conjunction with NATO allies, including the United States, by upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders. These are universal principles, and we will not stop defending them. The United States is an essential partner in this endeavour, as a NATO ally and through the defence agreement between the Kingdom of Denmark and the United States of 1951. Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide.”
Trump’s men threaten Europe
Stephen Miller, the White House Deputy Chief of Staff, claimed on Monday that Greenland should be part of the United States, despite the Danish Prime Minister warning that such a move would threaten NATO’s existence. He stated, “The president has made it clear that Greenland is essential to our security strategy.”
This came after Frederiksen, along with other European leaders, rejected Trump’s renewed call for US control of the island following the recent military operation in Venezuela. Trump argued that controlling Greenland is vital for NATO in light of threats from China and Russia in the Arctic.
Miller questioned Denmark’s ability to maintain control over Greenland, asking, “What is their basis for maintaining it as a colony?“ He dismissed the idea of military intervention, saying, “Nobody is going to fight the US over Greenland.”
Concerns grew after Miller’s wife, Katie, posted a map of Greenland in US flag colours with the caption, “SOON.” Trump’s comments about discussing Greenland in 20 days further fueled fears of a potential US intervention.
Trump’s administration disrespects US agreements
Greenland has a long history as a Danish colony, officially becoming part of Denmark in 1953. The US recognised Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland in the early 20th century. In 2009, legislation extended self-governance to Greenland and acknowledged its right to independence, a position supported by most Greenlanders.
Geographically, Greenland lies off Canada’s northeastern coast, with over two-thirds of it lying within the Arctic Circle. Its strategic location has made it vital to North America’s defence since World War II. The US operates the Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland under a 1951 defence agreement with Denmark, which supports missile warning and surveillance for the US and NATO.
Greenland is also near the GIUK Gap, a key NATO monitoring point for Russian naval movements. Additionally, it has significant deposits of rare-earth minerals essential to technology production and potential offshore oil and natural gas reserves, highlighting its economic importance.
PM Nielsen: “Greenland is our country. No one is coming to take it over”
Greenland’s Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, underscored the importance of cultivating strong diplomatic relations with the United States. “We do not find ourselves in a situation where we anticipate an overnight takeover of our nation, which is why we are committed to fostering a spirit of cooperation,“ he said on Monday evening.
Today, PM Nielsen convened a press conference to address the challenges currently facing Greenland.
“We are in a special situation. I understand that many are uneasy. It’s just a natural. But we have to keep calm. Greenland is standing strong. And together we stand,” said Nielsen.
He emphasised that Greenland seeks dialogue with the United States, “because cooperation and diplomacy are always the right way. It has been our line for many years, and it is now too. On that background, we are now intensifying our attempts to achieve dialogue through the correct diplomatic and political channels. But at the same time I have to make it clear that dialogue entails respect.”
He pointed out that Greenland cannot and should not be compared to Venezuela or other countries where chaos reigns or dictatorships exist. Greenland is an open, democratic society with strong institutions, Greenland’s PM said.
“This is where our decisions are made. There’s no doubt about it. Greenland is our country. No one is coming to take it over,“ Nielsen told journalists.
Politicians within the US are divided on the issue
As reported by the Associated Press, US Reps. Steny H. Hoyer and Blake Moore, co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Friends of Denmark Caucus, issued a joint statement Monday urging calm.
“Sabre-rattling about annexing Greenland is needlessly dangerous,“ they said. “An attack on Greenland — a crucial part of that alliance — would tragically be an attack on NATO.“
“We already have access to everything we could need from Greenland,“ the congressmen said, noting Denmark has previously given the US a green light to deploy more forces or build additional missile defence infrastructure in Greenland.
Ulrik Pram Gad, a global security expert at the Danish Institute for International Studies, questioned Trump’s portrayal of the Russian and Chinese presence in the region, according to The Associated Press. “There are indeed Russian and Chinese ships in the Arctic, but these vessels are too far away to see from Greenland with or without binoculars,“ he wrote.
This article used information from The Associated Press.
