Greenland Chooses Denmark Over U.S. Amid Rising Geopolitical Tensions

Greenland's Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen declared on Tuesday that his country would prefer to remain a part of Denmark rather than submit to a United States takeover, as tensions escalate ahead of significant discussions at the White House regarding the Arctic island. President Donald Trump has made repeated remarks about the potential purchase or annexation of Greenland, recently intensifying concerns by stating the U.S. would acquire it 'one way or the other.' Nielsen made it clear at a press conference, alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, that Greenland is not interested in being governed or owned by the United States. 'One thing must be clear to everyone: Greenland does not want to be owned by the United States. Greenland does not want to be governed by the United States. Greenland does not want to be part of the United States,' he emphasized. Frederiksen criticized what she described as 'completely unacceptable pressure' from their closest ally, the U.S. She acknowledged that standing firm against these pressures had not been easy but expressed confidence that Denmark would prevail. Existing geopolitical issues complicate the situation, particularly with growing threats from Russia and China. Greenland occupies a highly strategic position, presenting the shortest missile route between the U.S. and Russia, making it an essential component of the U.S. anti-missile defense system. U.S. claims that Denmark has done little to secure Greenland from perceived threats were met with a firm response from the Danish government, which highlighted its significant investment of nearly 90 billion kroner (or about $14 billion) aimed at bolstering military presence in the Arctic. On Tuesday, Frederiksen called for increased cooperation with the U.S. and NATO to enhance security in the region. She argued that security guarantees would be the most reliable defense against the influences of both China and Russia in the Arctic. Ahead of a crucial meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Greenland's Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt are expected to engage with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The aim of the meeting is to clarify misunderstandings regarding Greenland's defense and address concerns about Russian and Chinese military activities in the Arctic, as well as the relationship between Greenland and Denmark, which along with the Faroe Islands form the Kingdom of Denmark. In March 2025, Vance made an unsolicited trip to Greenland, during which he criticized Denmark for its alleged lack of commitment to Greenland's security and labeled it a 'bad ally.' This sparked outrage in Copenhagen, a nation that has long maintained a robust transatlantic alliance with the U.S. and has contributed troops to U.S.-led military operations in conflicts like those in Iraq and Afghanistan. Amid these rising tensions, NATO diplomats acknowledge that some member states are contemplating the initiation of a new mission in the Arctic region, although no specific proposals have been solidified yet. The upcoming talks between Greenland's foreign minister and the Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen, slated for January 19, will include discussions with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte concerning new strategies to secure the Arctic. Rutte indicated that NATO is moving forward with plans for a larger, more permanent military presence in Greenland, collaborating with forces from other allied nations. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2