Greenland’s new Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, has firmly rejected US President Donald Trump’s repeated calls for the United States to take control of the autonomous Danish territory.
Speaking in Copenhagen on Sunday, Nielsen emphasized that Greenland was “not a piece of property that can be bought by anyone,” a direct rebuke to Trump’s controversial remarks about acquiring the Arctic island.
Nielsen’s comments, delivered alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, come amid rising tensions between the US and both Greenland and Denmark over Trump’s persistent interest in the territory.
The prime minister, who assumed office in April, stressed the importance of unity between Greenland and Denmark in the face of what he called “disrespectful” rhetoric from the US.
“We will never, ever be a piece of property that can be bought by anyone, and that’s the message I think is most important to understand,” said Nielsen, reinforcing the stance that Greenland is an independent entity with its own future to determine.
This rhetoric aligns with the views of many Greenlanders, who overwhelmingly oppose any form of annexation by the United States.
In a symbolic gesture of unity, Nielsen is set to return to Greenland on Monday with Denmark’s King Frederik, who will embark on a four-day royal visit to the island.
This visit underscores the ongoing cooperation between Denmark and Greenland and signals their shared commitment to resist foreign interference in their sovereignty.
Trump’s repeated calls for Greenland’s acquisition have sparked outrage in Denmark and Greenland. During a speech to Congress in March, the US president argued that controlling Greenland was crucial for both national and international security.
He suggested that the United States should purchase the island, even hinting that military force might be a consideration, though US Vice President JD Vance later clarified that military intervention was not deemed necessary.
Despite the tension, both Nielsen and Frederiksen have expressed a willingness to meet with President Trump for talks.
Nielsen emphasized that while Greenland seeks to build a “strong partnership” with the United States, it requires mutual respect. “We are ready for a strong partnership and more development, but we want respect,” Nielsen affirmed.
Greenland, the world’s largest island, has been under Danish control for over 300 years. While it governs its domestic affairs, foreign policy and defense decisions remain in the hands of Copenhagen.
The US has maintained a military base in Greenland since World War II, and Trump’s interest in the island is believed to be driven, in part, by its strategic location and potential rare earth mineral resources.
The recent comments by both Nielsen and Frederiksen are part of a broader effort to strengthen Greenland’s ties with Denmark and assert the island’s autonomy.
Nielsen’s remarks also come after a visit by US Vice President JD Vance to Greenland, where he reiterated Trump’s desire to bring the island under US control, drawing widespread criticism from both Denmark and Greenland.
Polls indicate that the majority of Greenlanders desire independence from Denmark but are opposed to becoming part of the United States.
Nielsen’s center-right Democratic Party, which leads Greenland’s new coalition government, advocates for a gradual path to independence, emphasizing Greenland’s right to determine its own future free from foreign influence.
As the diplomatic dispute continues, the question of Greenland’s future remains at the forefront of international discussions, with the island’s leaders remaining steadfast in their resolve to protect its sovereignty.