Danish Prime Minister calls on US to stop threatening Greenland.
Responding to the US statement that it "needs Greenland," the Danish Prime Minister called for an end to threats against the island.
According to Reuters, the leaders of Denmark and Greenland have urged US President Donald Trump to stop threatening to occupy Greenland, after he reiterated that desire in an interview with The Atlantic magazine.
"Talking about the US needing Greenland is completely absurd. The US has no right to annex any of the three countries that make up the Kingdom of Denmark," Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen declared on January 4 (local time).
President Donald Trump told The Atlantic magazine: "We need Greenland, absolutely. We need it for defense purposes."
Mr. Trump also reiterated his claim that Greenland is allegedly "surrounded by Russian and Chinese ships."
The US president made these remarks a day after the US arrested Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, and Trump declared that Washington would govern the Latin American country.
This has raised concerns in Denmark that the same thing could happen to Greenland – a Danish territory.
Prime Minister Frederiksen said: "Therefore, I strongly urge the United States to cease its threats against a historically close ally and against another nation and people who have made it very clear that they are not commodities to be sold."
Greenland's Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, issued a statement on January 4th: "When the US President says 'we need Greenland' and links us to Venezuela and military intervention, that is not only wrong but also disrespectful."
On December 21, 2025, President Trump appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a special envoy to Greenland, which again sparked criticism from Denmark and Greenland regarding Washington's interest in the mineral-rich Arctic island.
President Trump has expressed his desire for Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, to become part of the United States. Mr. Landry has publicly supported this idea.
The strategic location of this Arctic island between Europe and North America makes it a crucial site for the U.S. ballistic missile defense system, while its abundant mineral resources are attractive as the U.S. hopes to reduce its dependence on Chinese exports.
Greenland declared independence under a 2009 agreement but remains heavily reliant on Danish aid.
Over the past year, Denmark has sought to mend its strained relationship with Greenland, while also attempting to ease tensions with the Trump administration by investing in defense in the Arctic.
