NUUK, Denmark: Greenland’s government on Monday flatly rejected any possibility of a United States takeover of the Arctic island, after US President Donald Trump said Washington would acquire the territory “one way or the other”.
“The United States has once again reiterated its desire to take over Greenland. This is something that the governing coalition in Greenland cannot accept under any circumstance,” the Greenlandic government said in a statement.
Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark and a member of NATO through Denmark.
Trump renews pressure
Trump has repeatedly argued that Greenland is vital to US national security and should come under American control.
Speaking aboard Air Force One late on Sunday, he said that if the United States did not take Greenland, “Russia or China will”.
“I am not going to let that happen,” Trump said. He added that while he would be open to a deal with Greenland, “one way or the other, we’re going to have Greenland”.
He did not explain what such a deal would involve or how the United States would pursue control of the island.
Trump has previously dismissed Greenland’s own defence capabilities, saying they amounted to “two dog sleds”, while claiming — without evidence — that Russian and Chinese naval vessels were active in the area.
Greenland and NATO stance
In its statement, Greenland’s government said it would work to ensure that the island’s defence continued to be handled within NATO.
“On the basis of the very positive declaration from the six NATO member states regarding Greenland, the Government of Greenland will intensify efforts to ensure that the defence of Greenland is carried out within NATO,” it said.
“Greenland will always be part of the Western defence alliance,” it added.
Last week, Denmark issued a joint declaration with France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom, expressing support for Copenhagen and Greenland in response to Trump’s remarks.
Greenland has hosted a US military base since World War II.
Denmark warns of ‘fateful moment’
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the dispute had brought relations to a critical point.
“Disagreements and conflicts between the United States and Europe only benefit our adversaries,” she wrote on Facebook. “They weaken us and strengthen them.”
She stressed Denmark’s commitment to NATO and Arctic security, saying the country was undergoing “a significant rearmament” and was ready to defend its values, including in the Arctic.
She also emphasised respect for international law and peoples’ right to self-determination.
Frederiksen has previously warned that a US military attack on a NATO member would spell the end of the alliance, a view echoed on Monday by EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius.
Kubilius said the EU treaty obliges member states to assist Denmark in the event of military aggression, though he added that the response would depend on Copenhagen.
NATO and European response
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Arctic security had become a priority for the alliance, citing the opening of sea lanes and the risk of increased Russian and Chinese activity.
“All allies agree on the importance of the Arctic and Arctic security,” Rutte said.
Belgium’s defence minister, Theo Francken, told Reuters that NATO should consider launching a specific operation in the Arctic to address US concerns and demonstrate unity.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he expected the United States to continue protecting Greenland together with Denmark.
A senior British minister said the UK was working with allies to strengthen Arctic security.
Trump said European plans did not change his position. “You need ownership,” he said. “You really need title, as they say in the real estate business.”
China rejects Trump claims
Meanwhile, China dismissed Trump’s assertions that Beijing had ambitions over Greenland.
“The Arctic involves the collective interests of the international community,” Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said.
She said China’s activities in the region complied with international law and promoted peace and stability.
“The United States should not use other countries as an excuse to pursue its own private interests,” she added.
The Greenlandic government said the island’s future must be decided by its people, underscoring that sovereignty and self-determination were not open to negotiation.
