Greenland "Not for Sale," Danish PM Reiterates, But Open to Increased US Presence

Created: JANUARY 27, 2025

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen firmly stated that Greenland is not for sale, echoing previous statements, during a meeting of European Union leaders in Brussels. This comes in response to discussions surrounding President Donald Trump's interest in acquiring the self-governing Danish territory.

While rejecting the notion of selling Greenland, Frederiksen expressed openness to enhancing the American military presence on the Arctic island. She acknowledged the growing importance of the Arctic region in terms of defense and security, particularly given increasing activity from China and Russia. Frederiksen suggested exploring ways to strengthen the US footprint, potentially through expanding existing facilities or establishing new ones. She emphasized Denmark's and NATO's willingness to contribute to bolstering security in the region.

Frederiksen speaks to reporters in Brussels

Frederiksen addressed President Trump's suggestion of acquiring Greenland, emphasizing the need to respect the sovereignty of nations. She reiterated Greenland's leadership's clear stance against being sold. The Prime Minister also highlighted Denmark's recent investment in enhancing surveillance and sovereignty capabilities in the Arctic, which includes new naval vessels, drones, and satellite capacity.

The discussion around Greenland's status arose amidst rising geopolitical tensions and increasing interest in the Arctic's strategic importance. Frederiksen also touched upon potential trade tariffs and Denmark's commitment to its allies. She reaffirmed Denmark's longstanding alliance with the United States and rejected assertions that Denmark has not been a reliable partner. She emphasized Denmark's willingness to collaborate on various security challenges, including terrorism, Baltic Sea destabilization, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

US military base in Greenland

European Council President Antonio Costa echoed the sentiment of supporting Greenland's territorial integrity, drawing parallels to the EU's stance on Ukraine. The article also mentions Vice President JD Vance's criticism of Denmark's role as an ally and Donald Trump Jr.'s visit to Greenland's capital. Finally, it touches upon recent trade developments, including tariffs on Chinese imports and agreements with Canada and Mexico.

Pituffik Space Base in Greenland

Comments(0)

Top Comments

Comment Form