Greenland Rejects Trump Annexation Remarks as Denmark and Europe Push Back
GeokHub
COPENHAGEN, Jan 5 — Greenland’s leadership has firmly rejected renewed remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting the United States should acquire the Arctic island, with European allies stressing that Greenland’s future can only be decided by its people.
Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said talk of annexation had crossed a line, responding after Trump again raised the idea of taking over the territory, citing U.S. defence interests.
“Threats, pressure and talk of annexation have no place between friends,” Nielsen said, adding: “Enough is enough. No more fantasies about annexation.”
Renewed Concerns After Venezuela Raid
Trump’s comments came just days after U.S. special forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a dramatic operation, with Washington indicating it would oversee governance in the oil-rich country. The move revived unease in Denmark that Greenland — an autonomous territory within the Danish kingdom — could face similar pressure.
Trump first floated the idea of acquiring Greenland during his initial presidency in 2019. In a recent interview, he said the United States “absolutely” needed Greenland for defence purposes, later telling reporters he would revisit the issue in the coming weeks.
Last month, Trump appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland. Landry has publicly supported the idea of incorporating the island into the United States.
Europe Closes Ranks
Support for Greenland and Denmark was swift across Europe. Finland’s President Alexander Stubb said neither Greenland nor Denmark’s future could be decided by outside powers, pledging full Nordic support for Copenhagen.
France also voiced solidarity, reiterating that Greenland belongs to its people. President Emmanuel Macron has previously warned that the Arctic faces growing pressure from “predatory ambitions.”
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen dismissed the idea of a U.S. takeover outright, calling the suggestion that Greenland needs to be taken over “absolutely meaningless.”
Strategic Importance at Stake
Greenland occupies a critical strategic position between Europe and North America and plays a key role in the U.S. ballistic missile defence system. Its vast reserves of rare earths and other minerals have also drawn interest as Washington seeks to reduce dependence on Chinese supply chains.
Despite those strategic considerations, Greenland’s leaders and European allies insist that sovereignty and self-determination remain non-negotiable.
