Greenland and Denmark agreed on Sunday to deepen their relationship in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s interest in bringing the strategically important Arctic island under American control, their leaders announced following talks in Copenhagen.
Greenland’s new Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen arrived in the Danish capital on Saturday for a three-day visit, demonstrating the unity between the resource-rich island — a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark — and Copenhagen.
“We are facing a foreign policy situation that requires us to move closer together,” Nielsen said during a joint press conference with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
Nielsen’s trip comes after months of strain caused by Trump’s repeated assertions that Greenland should join the United States.
Both Danish and Greenlandic leaders have consistently said that only Greenlanders have the right to determine the island’s future. Yet they have been balancing a careful approach — firmly rejecting U.S. annexation ambitions while still aiming to preserve their longstanding relationship with the United States.
“We are open to a strong partnership (with the U.S.) and greater development, but we demand respect … We will never be a piece of property that someone can purchase,” Nielsen stated.
He noted that the ongoing expansion of the U.S. consulate in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital — a project initiated before Trump assumed office — was creating unease among Greenlanders.
When asked whether he had been in contact with the U.S. administration since taking office earlier this month, Nielsen neither confirmed nor denied it.
The improved ties between Nuuk and Copenhagen follow tensions last year, when Greenland’s former prime minister accused Denmark of committing a historic “genocide” against Greenlanders and intensified calls for independence.
Frederiksen stated that Denmark was prepared to increase its investment in Greenland and to provide financial support as Greenland assumes more domestic responsibilities from Copenhagen under what she described as a “modernization” of their relationship.
Denmark has advocated for enhanced Arctic defense cooperation with the United States, and both Nielsen and Frederiksen reaffirmed their commitment on Sunday to strengthening defence efforts in the region.
Denmark’s King Frederik is scheduled to visit Greenland on Monday in another display of solidarity.
