Greenland leaders unite to reject Trump's renewed bid for US control of island

NUUK, GREENLAND: Greenland’s political leadership on Friday, January 9, forcefully rejected President Donald Trump's renewed calls for the United States to take control of the Arctic territory.

In a joint statement, Greenland’s prime minister and four party leaders reaffirmed that the island’s future must be decided by its own people, not foreign governments.

The response followed Trump’s latest remarks suggesting that the US could act regardless of Greenlanders’ wishes, citing national security concerns. The comments have intensified international debate over sovereignty, NATO unity, and Arctic security.

Greenland leaders reaffirm sovereignty and reject US pressure 

Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and leaders of four political parties issued a joint statement rejecting President Trump’s continued push to acquire the self-governing territory.

“We don’t want to be Americans, we don’t want to be Danes, we want to be Greenlanders,” the statement said, according to The Associated Press.

The leaders emphasized that Greenland’s political future rested solely with its people. “Greenland’s future must be decided by the Greenlandic people,” the statement read.

They also criticized what they described as dismissive rhetoric from Washington, adding, “As Greenlandic party leaders, we would like to emphasize once again our wish that the United States’ contempt for our country ends.”

Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark and a part of the NATO alliance through Denmark.

While the US already maintains a military base on the island, Greenlandic and Danish officials have repeatedly stated that the territory is not for sale.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that a forced US takeover of Greenland would threaten the foundations of NATO.

In a joint statement earlier this week alongside several European leaders, Frederiksen said that Arctic security must be achieved collectively and in line with international law.

“Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland,” the statement read.

The Greenlandic leaders added that discussions about the island’s future needed to occur “in dialogue with the Greenlandic people” and in accordance with international law. “No other country can interfere in this,” they said.

Trump warns US will act on Greenland despite local opposition

President Trump sharply escalated his rhetoric on Friday, warning that the United States would act on Greenland regardless of local opposition.

Speaking during a meeting with US oil executives at the White House, Trump framed the issue as a matter of national security.

“We are going to do something on Greenland whether they like it or not,” Trump said. He argued that if the US does not assert control, rival powers would step in.

“Because if we don’t do it, Russia or China will take over Greenland, and we are not going to have Russia or China as a neighbor,” he explained.

Trump suggested that a negotiated agreement would be preferable, but left open the possibility of other actions.

“I would like to make a deal the easy way,” he said. “But if we don’t do it the easy way, we will do it the hard way.” He did not specify what the “hard way” would entail.

The White House has said it was considering a range of options, including military force, a prospect that had alarmed US allies. Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky) said earlier this week that he would oppose any military action aimed at Greenland.