Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that an attack on a NATO ally would be considered an attack on the entire alliance, as tensions rise over the United States’ renewed interest in acquiring Greenland.
Trump’s Pursuit of Greenland Ownership
While a pre-existing agreement allows the United States to station troops on Greenland, former President Trump has publicly expressed a desire to purchase the territory, telling reporters he is seeking “acquiring, not leasing.” He stated ownership is “psychologically needed for success” and provides advantages beyond a formal agreement.
Trump has justified the potential acquisition by citing concerns about possible takeovers by Russia or China, both of which have increased activity in the Arctic region due to melting ice. However, neither country has laid claim to Greenland, which has a population of 57,000.
“Bad Ally”?
US Vice President JD Vance previously criticized Denmark as a “bad ally” during a visit to Greenland last year. He is known for a direct communication style, exemplified by a public rebuke of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier this year.
The details of an upcoming meeting between Greenlandic and US officials remain undisclosed, including whether it will be open to the press. Penny Naas, a senior vice president at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, suggested the meeting’s tone will depend on the US approach. “If the US continues with, ‘We have to have Greenland at all cost,’ it could be a very short meeting,” she said.
Greenland and Denmark have consistently rejected Trump’s proposals. Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has stated unequivocally, “Greenland does not want to be owned by the United States. Greenland does not want to be governed by the United States. Greenland does not want to be part of the United States.”
Denmark’s Prime Minister described facing “completely unacceptable pressure from our closest ally.” Copenhagen also disputes US claims that it is not adequately protecting Greenland, noting its investment of almost 90 billion kroner (US$14 billion) to strengthen its military presence in the Arctic.
Denmark is a founding member of NATO and participated alongside the United States in military interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Following White House discussions, a bipartisan delegation from the US Congress is scheduled to visit Copenhagen to demonstrate support.
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