Greenlandic leaders have strongly rejected US attempts to exert influence over the Arctic island, insisting that its people alone must decide the territory’s future. The statement, issued jointly by five political parties, emphasized that Greenlanders “don’t want to be Americans, we don’t want to be Danish, we want to be Greenlanders.” Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, along with former leaders and parliamentarians, stressed that no foreign country should pressure or interfere in Greenland’s self-determination.
The declaration followed US President Donald Trump’s renewed threats to take action regarding Greenland, citing its strategic and mineral importance. Trump claimed the US must act to prevent Russia or China from gaining a foothold, and suggested both diplomatic and forceful measures could be considered.
Polling shows overwhelming opposition among Greenlanders, with 85 percent rejecting the idea of joining the United States, while only a small fraction of Americans support military intervention. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen condemned Trump’s statements, warning that any attempt to annex Greenland would undermine NATO and post-World War II security arrangements.
Despite the US maintaining a long-standing military presence on the island, Greenlandic officials and civic leaders continue to assert their right to self-rule, rejecting claims of foreign threats in their waters. The episode underscores Greenlanders’ insistence on sovereignty and control over the Arctic territory’s strategic resources.
