‘We’re in a overseas coverage scenario, which suggests we now have to maneuver nearer collectively,’ Greenland’s new prime minister stated on April 27.
Greenland and Denmark stated on April 27 that they may transfer to solidify their alliance as President Donald Trump continues to precise curiosity in shopping for the Arctic island.
The show of unity adopted discussions in Copenhagen between Greenland’s new prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. Nielsen arrived within the Danish capital on April 26 for what’s slated to be a three-day go to.
“We’re in a overseas coverage scenario, which suggests we now have to maneuver nearer collectively,” Nielsen stated at a joint press convention with Frederiksen.
Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory within the Arctic Ocean to the northeast of Canada, affords strategic, political, and financial benefits, significantly as the USA appears to be like towards the Northwest Passage for delivery routes amid delays on the Panama Canal.
Nielsen’s go to to Denmark comes as Trump has reiterated his want for Greenland to develop into a U.S. territory. He has talked about the potential of buying it from Copenhagen.
Leaders from Denmark and Greenland have responded by saying that solely Greenlanders ought to determine the island’s future. They’ve tried to keep up a superb relationship with the USA whereas additionally pushing again on Trump’s proposals to annex the territory.
“We’re prepared for a powerful partnership [with the United States] and extra improvement, however we wish respect,” Nielsen stated.
“We are going to by no means be a bit of property that may be purchased by anybody.”
The USA’ ongoing enlargement of its consulate in Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, which was agreed to earlier than Trump’s inauguration, is making some Greenlanders anxious, Nielsen added.
When requested, Nielsen didn’t say whether or not he had been involved with the Trump administration since he took workplace earlier this month.
Relations between Greenland and Denmark look like enhancing after the island’s earlier prime minister, Mute Egede, blamed Denmark in December 2024 for a historic “genocide” within the territory. In January, he advocated for Greenland to develop into impartial from Denmark.
“It’s about time that we ourselves take a step and form our future, additionally with regard to who we’ll cooperate intently with, and who our buying and selling companions might be,” Egede stated.
A motion for Greenland’s independence has gained traction within the island lately, partly after misconduct by Danish authorities within the twentieth century—together with an involuntary contraception marketing campaign they started within the Sixties—was revealed.
“The historical past and present situations have proven that our cooperation with the Kingdom of Denmark has not succeeded in creating full equality,” Egede stated.
Egede had additionally beforehand rejected Trump’s makes an attempt to purchase the island, which date again to 2019.
“Greenland is ours. We aren’t on the market and can by no means be on the market,” he stated.
On April 27, Frederiksen stated Denmark was able to pool extra sources into Greenland to help the island financially because it assumes extra duty for its home affairs from Copenhagen, all a part of a course of she described as a “modernization” of their relationship.
As Denmark has sought additional Arctic protection collaboration from the USA, each Nielsen and Frederiksen stated on April 27 that they vowed to bolster protection within the essential area.
Reuters contributed to this report.