Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen declared during her visit to Greenland on Thursday that Copenhagen would not relinquish the resource-rich autonomous Danish territory. Speaking in English, she directly addressed the United States, stating that the U.S. cannot annex another country. This statement comes amid rising tensions between Denmark and the U.S. following President Donald Trump's repeated assertions that he wants to control the Arctic island for security reasons.
Frederiksen arrived in Greenland on April 2 for a three-day visit aimed at demonstrating support and solidarity in the face of American pressure. She toured Nuuk, Greenland's capital, aboard a Danish navy patrol vessel alongside Greenland's new Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and his predecessor Múte B. Egede.
The Danish leader emphasized the need for unity as the United States puts pressure on Greenland regarding sovereignty, borders, and the future. Her visit follows a controversial trip by U.S. Vice President JD Vance last week, which both Nuuk and Copenhagen viewed as provocative. During his visit to the Pituffik Space Base in Greenland, Vance accused Denmark of neglecting security and failing to properly protect Greenland's people.
Polls indicate that while most of Greenland's 57,000 residents desire independence from Denmark, they do not wish to become part of the United States. Arctic expert Mikaela Engell, a former Danish High Commissioner to Greenland, noted that it was very important and reassuring for Greenlanders to see leadership from the Danish government.