Greenlanders “don’t want to be Americans” and must decide the future of the Arctic island themselves, according to politicians in the self-governing Danish territory. This statement came after Donald Trump warned the U.S. would “do something whether they like it or not.”
The leaders of five political parties in Greenland’s parliament issued a united statement on Friday night, shortly after the U.S. president reiterated his interest in acquiring the mineral-rich island.
“We don’t want to be Americans, we don’t want to be Danish, we want to be Greenlanders,” said the group, which includes the island’s prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen. “The future of Greenland must be decided by Greenlanders.”
Emphasizing the desire for self-determination, they added: “No other country can meddle in this. We must decide our country’s future ourselves—without pressure to make a hasty decision, without procrastination, and without interference from other countries.”
The statement was signed by Nielsen, his predecessor Múte B. Egede, and politicians Pele Broberg, Aleqa Hammond, and Aqqalu C. Jerimiassen.
Earlier on Friday, during a meeting with oil and gas executives at the White House, Trump stated that Greenland was crucial for U.S. national security. “We’re not going to have Russia or China occupy Greenland. That’s what they’re going to do if we don’t. So we’re going to be doing something with Greenland, either the nice way or the more difficult way,” he told reporters.
The White House confirmed earlier this week that Trump is “actively” discussing a potential offer to buy the island with his national security team.
Greenlanders have consistently rejected becoming part of the U.S., with an 85% opposition rate according to a 2025 poll. Polling also shows only 7% of Americans support a U.S. military invasion of the territory. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen recently warned that such an invasion would mean the end of “NATO and therefore post-Second World War security.”
She has urged Trump to stop threatening to take over the country, stating the U.S. has “no right to annex any of the three countries in the Danish kingdom,” referring to Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands.
Trump commented on Friday, “If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have a NATO right now.” When previously asked by the New York Times whether his priority was preserving the alliance or acquiring Greenland, he replied, “It may be a choice.”
Responding to Trump’s statements, the head of NATO forces in Europe, U.S. General Alexus Grynkewich, declined to comment on whether the alliance—which includes Denmark—would survive without the U.S. However, he stated on Friday that NATO is far from being in a crisis.
“There’s been no impact on my work at the military level up to this point… I would just say that we’re ready to defend every inch of alliance territory still today,” he said.
The U.S. has operated a military base in northwestern Greenland since World War II, where over 100 military personnel are permanently stationed. Existing agreements with Denmark would allow Trump to deploy additional troops to the island. However, Trump told reporters on Friday that a lease agreement is insufficient. “Countries have to have ownership and you defend ownership, you don’t defend leases,” he said. “And we’ll have to defend Greenland.”
Trump previously made an offer to buy Greenland in 2019 but was told it was not for sale. Since then, he has claimed that Greenland, which has vast natural resources including rare-earth minerals and potential oil and gas reserves, “is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over.”In an interview with the Guardian on Friday, Jess Berthelsen, the chair of SIK, Greenland’s national trade union confederation, said people in the territory did not recognize the U.S. president’s claims that Russian and Chinese ships were scattered throughout its waters. “We can’t see it, we don’t recognize it, and we can’t understand it,” he said.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs Greenlands Response to US Interest
BeginnerLevel Questions
Q Why was Greenland in the news about the US
A In 2019 former US President Donald Trump expressed interest in the idea of the US purchasing Greenland This sparked significant discussion and a firm response from Greenland
Q What did Greenlands leaders say in response
A Greenlands political leaders including thenPremier Kim Kielsen clearly stated that Greenland is not for sale and that its people dont want to be Americans They emphasized Greenlands path toward greater independence from Denmark not a transfer to another country
Q Who owns Greenland
A Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark It has its own local government that handles most domestic affairs but Denmark manages foreign and defense policy
Q Was the US seriously trying to buy Greenland
A While President Trump confirmed his interest was real it was not a formal governmental proposal It was widely seen as a nonstarter politically and was immediately rejected by both Greenland and Denmark
AdvancedLevel Questions
Q What are the historical precedents for the US purchasing territory
A The US has purchased territories before most notably the Alaska Purchase from Russia in 1867 and the Louisiana Purchase from France in 1803 However in the modern era the idea of purchasing a populated selfgoverning territory is without precedent and conflicts with contemporary norms of selfdetermination
Q Why is Greenland strategically important to the US
A Greenlands location in the Arctic makes it strategically significant for several reasons it offers proximity to the Arctics emerging shipping routes and natural resources and it hosts the US Thule Air Base a key site for space and missile warning systems
Q How did this event affect Greenlands relationship with Denmark and the US
A Initially it caused a diplomatic stir with Denmark calling the idea absurd However it also inadvertently boosted Greenlands international profile and reinforced its national identity The US has since worked to strengthen its direct partnership with Greenland on economic and environmental issues recognizing its autonomous government
Q What is Greenlands current political status and what are its future goals
A Greenland has selfrule Its government controls areas like natural resources education
