Greenland’s new Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen has firmly rejected US President Donald Trump’s claims that the United States will “get” Greenland, reaffirming the island’s right to self-determination and autonomy. In a Facebook post, Nielsen said, “The United States will not get Greenland. We don’t belong to anyone else. We decide our own future.”
Trump had made the remarks during an interview with NBC News, saying, “We’ll get Greenland. Yeah, 100 percent.” This comment comes amid growing tensions between the United States, Denmark, and Greenland, with issues surrounding Greenland’s status and resources coming to the forefront.
The exchange adds to a week of heightened diplomatic tensions following a visit by US Vice President JD Vance to a US military base in Greenland. Vance’s comments, which included criticism of Denmark’s handling of Greenland’s affairs, were met with backlash from Danish officials. On Saturday, Danish diplomacy criticized Vance’s tone, accusing him of overstepping in his remarks.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is set to visit Greenland from Wednesday to Friday, aiming to strengthen the ties between the Kingdom of Denmark and its autonomous Arctic territory.
Meanwhile, Greenland’s political scene has been shaken by recent developments, including the formation of a new coalition government. While all of the island’s major political parties seek independence, they remain divided over the timeline and approach. The Naleraq party, which advocates for rapid independence, chose not to join the new coalition government, while the remaining four parties reached an agreement on Friday to form a government that focuses on the territory’s path to sovereignty.
