Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the “USA should not take over Greenland” as she visits the semi-autonomous territory for a three-day trip aimed at building trust and cooperation with Greenlandic officials.
It comes at a time when the Trump administration is seeking control of the vast Arctic territory. Greenland is a mineral-rich, strategically critical island that is becoming more accessible because of climate change. Trump has said that the landmass is critical to US security.
Frederiksen announced plans for her visit after US Vice President JD Vance visited a US air base in Greenland last week and accused Denmark of underinvesting in the territory.
On arrival, Frederiksen emphasised that she intends “to support Greenland in a very difficult situation.” She said “I want to say to everyone in Greenland that I have only one wish, and that is to do everything I possibly can to take care of this wonderful country.”
Frederiksen is meeting the incoming Greenlandic leader, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, after an election last month that produced a new government. She is also to meet with the future Naalakkersuisut, the Cabinet, in a visit due to last through Friday.
“It has my deepest respect how the Greenlandic people and the Greenlandic politicians handle the great pressure that is on Greenland,” she said in government statement announcing the visit.
On the agenda are talks with Nielsen about cooperation between Greenland and Denmark.
Nielsen has said in recent days that he welcomes the visit, and that Greenland would resist any US attempt to annex the territory.
For years, the people of Greenland, with a population of about 57,000, have been working toward eventual independence from Denmark.
The Trump administration’s threats to take control of the island one way or the other, possibly even with military force, have angered many in Greenland and Denmark. The incoming government wants to take a slower approach on the question of eventual independence.
