'You cannot annex another country': Danish PM’s blunt message to Trump over Greenland acquisition threats

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen put on a show of unity with Greenlandic leaders during her first visit to the Arctic island since US President Donald Trump’s renewed call to take over the island. While addressing the matter, Frederiksen gave out a clear message to the American leader: “You cannot annex another country.”

Speaking onboard an inspection ship and standing in front of a military chopper alongside Greenland’s new prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, Frederiksen switched from Danish to English to address the ongoing diplomatic row with the Trump administration.

“This is about the world order that we have built together across the Atlantic over generations,” she said in her address. “You cannot annex another country – not even with an argument about international security," she furthered. Frederiksen was also flanked by Greenland’s outgoing prime minister, Múte B Egede, who has repeatedly said that the island is “not for sale”.

Denmark doesn’t mind joining hands with the US to boost security

The Danish prime minister’s remarks came after a six-hour boat trip on the ocean-patrol vessel HDMS Vædderen with the two Greenlandic leaders, during which they also viewed the area from above in a helicopter. “If you want to strengthen security in the Arctic, as we would like, let’s do it together,” she said in a message to the United States.

Denmark and Greenland “want to cooperate with the United States”, Frederiksen emphasised. “If you want to be more present in Greenland, Greenland and Denmark are ready. If you want to strengthen security in the Arctic, as we would like, let’s do it together.” She accused the Trump administration of subjecting Denmark and Greenland to “pressure and threats”, she asked: “What should we believe about the country we have admired for many years?”

Meanwhile, Nielsen said: “Dialogue is of course the way forward, but it is also a great uncertainty that there is no dialogue now. That is why it is important to have dialogue that is based on respect.” The newly-elected Greenlandic prime minister went on to call for unity. “Because of the things happening outside the country, we must stand together. Also within the realm, but also in our relationship with our allies," he said.

What does the US think of this?

In Brussels, the US State Department said Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, had reaffirmed the “strong relationship” between the US and Denmark during a meeting with Lars Løkke Rasmussen, the Danish foreign minister. After the meeting, Rasmussen noted that he had “used this opportunity to state some things on behalf of the Danish kingdom”.

“More specifically, these repeated statements from the US president with a vision or ambition to control Greenland are in no way sustainable. It has reached a point where it challenges our sovereignty as a kingdom," he added. It is pertinent to note that these diplomatic manoeuvring took place shortly after US Vice President JD Vance visited Greenland. After a diplomatic outcry, the visit was limited to the US military base Pituffik and did not involve Greenlandic or Danish representatives.

As an erstwhile Danish colony, Greenland remains in the kingdom of Denmark, which continues to control the territory’s foreign and security policies. However, the island has been demanding its independence for a while, a call which has gained momentum very recently.