Greenland’s political leaders have firmly rejected any move to place the autonomous territory under US control after President Donald Trump renewed threats suggesting Washington could seize the island, even by force.
The strong response came late Friday after Trump said the United States was “going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not,” triggering alarm across Europe and beyond. In a rare show of unity, leaders of five political parties in Greenland’s parliament issued a joint statement asserting their right to self-determination.
“We don’t want to be Americans, we don’t want to be Danish, we want to be Greenlanders,” the statement said, stressing that Greenland’s future must be decided solely by its people, without pressure or foreign interference.
Public sentiment echoed the political stance. “American? No! We were a colony for so many years. We’re not ready to be a colony again,” said Julius Nielsen, a fisherman in Nuuk. Others expressed concern that US involvement could damage trust between Greenland and Denmark.
Greenland, a former Danish colony until 1953, gained home rule in 1979 and continues to debate full independence. While some politicians have called for preparing more actively for sovereignty, the current ruling coalition opposes rushing the process. Even Naleraq, the only opposition party advocating rapid independence, joined the cross-party declaration rejecting US pressure.
Trump has argued that Greenland is vital to US national security due to growing Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic, warning that Washington could act “the nice way or the more difficult way.” However, neither Russia nor China has laid any territorial claim to the island.
Greenland’s strategic location and vast natural resources, including rare earth minerals and potential oil and gas reserves, have heightened global interest. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that any invasion of Greenland would effectively end NATO’s post-war security framework.
Diplomatic efforts are now underway to prevent escalation. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to meet Danish and Greenlandic representatives next week, as European leaders work to defuse tensions while navigating relations with the Trump administration.