Greenland’s Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, has said the people of the semi-autonomous territory would choose Denmark over the United States if forced to decide “here and now,” as pressure mounts from US President Donald Trump to annex the island.
Nielsen made the statement on Monday during a joint news conference in Copenhagen with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, marking his strongest public rejection yet of renewed US interest in taking control of Greenland.
Trump has argued that the United States needs to “own” Greenland for national security reasons, citing concerns over Russia and China’s activities in the Arctic. The White House has floated the idea of buying the island and has not ruled out the possible use of force.
Denmark, a fellow NATO member, has firmly rejected the proposal. Frederiksen warned that any attempt to use military force would effectively undermine the trans-Atlantic alliance.
Responding to Nielsen’s remarks on Tuesday, Trump dismissed the Greenlandic leader’s position, saying, “That’s their problem. I disagree with him… That’s going to be a big problem for him.”
Although Greenland is one of the most sparsely populated territories in the world, its strategic location between North America and the Arctic makes it crucial for missile early-warning systems and monitoring maritime activity in the region.
Trump has repeatedly described Greenland as vital to US security, claiming without providing evidence that Russian and Chinese vessels are operating extensively around the island.
The United States already maintains a military presence at the Pituffik Space Base in north-west Greenland, where more than 100 personnel are permanently stationed. Under existing agreements with Denmark, Washington is permitted to deploy additional troops if it chooses.
However, Trump has insisted that current lease arrangements are insufficient, stating last week that the US “has to have ownership” and that “NATO’s got to understand that.”
At the Copenhagen briefing, Frederiksen condemned what she described as “completely unacceptable pressure from our closest ally,” warning that relations could face even tougher challenges ahead.
Nielsen described the situation as a “geopolitical crisis” but stressed Greenland’s position was unequivocal.
“If we have to choose between the United States and Denmark here and now, we choose Denmark,” he said. “Greenland does not want to be owned, governed by, or be part of the United States.”
The comments come ahead of a planned visit to Washington by Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Greenland’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Vivian Motzfeldt, who are expected to meet US Vice-President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Denmark has received strong backing from its NATO allies, including major European countries and Canada, who have reiterated that only Denmark and Greenland have the right to decide their future relationship.
Allies have also called for respect for the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity under the United Nations Charter, while stressing the need for collective action on Arctic security.
Interest in Greenland has intensified in recent years due to its vast natural resources, including rare earth minerals, uranium and iron, as well as the possibility of significant oil and gas reserves becoming more accessible as ice melts due to climate change.
Trump had previously attempted to buy Greenland in 2019 during his first term in office, an offer that was swiftly rejected by Danish authorities.
