Greenlanders respond to Trump's Davos speech, say island not just 'a block of ice’
NUUK, GREENLAND: President Trump’s demand to acquire Greenland continues to fuel a wave of fear and anger among the people living on the Arctic island.
Trump, speaking to world leaders in Davos on Wednesday, January 21, called Greenland "a large piece of ice".
Meanwhile, the residents of Greenland's capital city, Nuuk, made it clear that their home is nothing like what US leader said.
"So, we want a piece of ice for world protection and they won't give it. We've never asked for anything else. We could have kept that piece of land and we didn't. So, they have a choice; you can say yes and we will be very appreciative or you can say no and we will remember." pic.twitter.com/KVPwLYILKk
— CSPAN (@cspan) January 21, 2026
Greenlanders react to Trump's Davos comments
During his speech in Switzerland, Trump reiterated that owning Greenland is a matter of "national security" for US, referring to potential conflict with countries like Russia and China.
Trump emphasized the "psychological" importance of controlling the territory, despite mistakenly calling it "Iceland" multiple times.
He dismissed the current legal standing of the land, asking, “Who the h*ll wants to defend a license agreement or a lease, which is a large piece of ice in the middle of the ocean?”
Tillie Martinussen, a former member of parliament, spoke out against the idea that Greenland is just a frozen island.
“We’re not just a block of ice,” she said. “We are human beings. We have elderly people here who are so afraid right now. We have children that are afraid of the United States.”
Martinussen mentioned that Greenlanders are stocking up emergency supplies while some hunters are "taking out their rifles" and getting them ready to defend against any would-be invaders.
She added that people who had seen the US as a friend will now think of it as a possible invader that "can never be trusted again."
Locals say Greenland 'not for sale'
Parnuna Motzfeldt, a 25-year-old local, made it clear that the islanders have no interest in changing their nationality.
“We don’t want to be Americans,” NBC quoted her as saying.
Motzfeldt added that Greenland was “not for sale[...] We only want to be Greenlanders."
Jens Erik Kjeldsen, a 70-year-old retired carpenter protesting outside the US Consulate, shared this feeling.
While he likes Americans as visitors, he is totally against a takeover, warning that "You might win a war with power, but you can never win the peace."
"We never want to be American. We like the Americans, we like being there, we like being visited by them ... but to be American? No, no, no,” he said.
Trump says won't use military force on Greenland
President Trump ruled out military force in his pursuit of control over Greenland at Davos.
He emphasized that force is unnecessary and not his approach, despite earlier White House hints at military options.
Trump stated, "I don’t need to resort to force. I don’t wish to use force. I won’t use force."
Still, he told European leaders they could say yes to giving the US Greenland and be appreciated, or say no and he would "remember" it.
While Danish officials are glad he ruled out military action for now, they realize he has not given up on his plan to take control.
The US also continues to maintain a base in Greenland under existing agreements with Denmark.
