Greenland’s prime minister has firmly backed Denmark over the United States amid escalating tensions. Jens-Frederik Nielsen voiced this preference during a Copenhagen press conference with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. The remark sharply counters U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed push for annexation.
Trump argues that U.S. ownership of Greenland is vital to counter Russia and China in the Arctic. The White House has floated buying the territory, without ruling out force, despite Denmark’s warnings that such action would end NATO ties. The U.S. already stationed about 150 personnel at Pituffik Space Base under a 1951 defence pact allowing troop increases.
Trump dismissed Nielsen’s stance on Tuesday, stating: “That’s their problem, I disagree with him… That’s going to be a big problem for him.” He insists leasing is inadequate and demands full control. Frederiksen called the pressure “completely unacceptable from our closest ally,” adding “there are many indications that the most challenging part is ahead of us.”
Nielsen described a “geopolitical crisis” and affirmed: “If we have to choose between the United States and Denmark here and now, we choose Denmark.” He continued: “One thing must be clear to everyone. Greenland does not want to be owned by the United States. Greenland does not want to be governed by the United States. Greenland does not want to be part of the United States.”
The event precedes U.S. talks between Danish and Greenlandic ministers with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.