In a dramatic turn of events, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has called for direct talks with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump following his controversial remarks about potentially taking control of Greenland by force. Trump’s statements, which sparked global headlines, have raised alarms in Denmark and Greenland alike.
“Greenland Belongs to the Greenlanders”
Frederiksen confirmed late Thursday that she has reached out to Trump for a conversation but does not expect the dialogue to take place before his January 20 inauguration.
“We have suggested a conversation [with Trump], and I expect it will take place,” Frederiksen told reporters, reiterating Denmark’s firm stance: “Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders.”
Her comments came just two days after Trump declined to rule out military or economic means to acquire Greenland, a long-standing autonomous Danish territory. While Frederiksen emphasized there’s “no reason to believe” Trump plans to invade the Arctic island, she underscored the “close cooperation” between Denmark and the United States as NATO allies.
Greenland’s Push for Independence Intensifies
Meanwhile, Greenland’s Prime Minister Múte Egede seized the moment to double down on calls for full independence from Denmark. Referring to the island’s colonial past, Egede declared it time to “shed the shackles of the colonial era.”
Greenland, with a population of just 60,000, has enjoyed autonomous governance since 1979 but remains strategically and resource-rich. Its untapped natural resources and position in the Arctic have made it a coveted prize on the geopolitical stage, intensifying the spotlight on its future governance.
Trump Jr.’s Polarizing Visit
Adding fuel to the fire, Donald Trump Jr. recently visited Greenland, claiming the islanders were eager to join the U.S. He shared photos and videos on social media of Greenlanders sporting MAGA hats and praising Trump’s interest in the island. However, Pipaluk Lynge, a senior Greenlandic politician, labeled the visit as “staged” and warned the U.S. against replicating its treatment of Alaska’s indigenous people.
“Denmark, they don’t take care of us,” one Greenlander was seen saying in a video shared by Trump, which the president-elect captioned with: “We will see you again — SOON!”
Denmark’s Strategic Diplomacy
Danish officials have attempted to downplay Trump’s rhetoric. Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen urged observers to “take Donald Trump seriously without taking him literally.” However, the situation remains tense as Trump’s expansionist vision has introduced a volatile element into U.S.-Danish relations.
Frederiksen also addressed allegations from Trump Jr. that Danes are racist toward Greenlanders, admitting that while racism exists, “You can’t say that Danes are racists across the board.”
The Arctic Chessboard
As Trump’s remarks reverberate, the Arctic emerges as a geopolitical chessboard. For Greenland, the sudden attention has amplified its independence movement. For Denmark, the challenge lies in defending its sovereignty while maintaining relations with a powerful ally. And for the U.S., the stakes couldn’t be higher, as control of Greenland could dramatically reshape its Arctic strategy.
Frederiksen’s planned dialogue with Trump will be pivotal in determining whether this simmering tension escalates or subsides. For now, the world watches as the fate of Greenland hangs in the balance.