Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen said Monday that Trump's comments linking the Arctic territory to Venezuela and U.S. military intervention showed a lack of respect.
“When the president of the United States says ‘we need Greenland’ and links us to Venezuela and military action, it’s not just wrong — it’s disrespectful,” Nielsen said in a Facebook post. “Enough with the pressure, insinuations, and annexation fantasies.”
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen issued a statement Sunday urging the U.S. to stop threats against “a historically close ally” and to respect Greenland’s clear stance that it is “not for sale.”
In an interview with The Atlantic published Sunday, Trump reiterated his claim that the U.S. “absolutely” needs Greenland for defense, citing the island’s proximity to Chinese and Russian vessels. The interview followed the recent U.S. operation that ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, sparking concerns in Copenhagen about possible similar ambitions regarding Greenland.
Frederiksen emphasized that Greenland is part of the Danish Kingdom and covered by NATO security guarantees. She noted that Denmark already has a defense agreement with the U.S. allowing broad access to Greenland.
“We have invested significantly in Arctic security,” she said. “Alliances are built on trust, and trust requires respect.”
Tensions escalated further after former White House aide Katie Miller posted an image of Greenland covered in the U.S. flag with the caption “soon.” Denmark’s ambassador to the U.S., Jesper Moeller Soerensen, responded by demanding full respect for his country’s territorial integrity.
Trump recently named Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland. Landry has publicly supported incorporating the territory into the U.S., drawing renewed criticism from Danish officials.
Greenland, a self-governing part of the Danish Realm, has the legal right to seek independence but remains reliant on subsidies from Copenhagen. Under a 2009 agreement, the island maintains autonomy in most domestic matters while Denmark oversees defense and foreign affairs.
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Source: PAP, Reuters