Denmark says Greenland may become independent but not a US state
France says EU doubts ‘invasion’ but will not let other nations attack its borders after Trump’s Greenland threat
08 January 2025 - 16:18
UPDATED 08 January 2025 - 19:00
byJacob Gronholt-Pedersen, Louise Rasmussen and Stine Jacobsen
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Greenland Prime Minister Mute Bourup Egede. Picture: LEIFF JOSEFSEN
Copenhagen — Greenland may become independent if its residents want, but it would not become a US state, Denmark’s foreign minister said on Wednesday after US president-elect Donald Trump refused to rule out taking Greenland by force.
Greenland’s leader held talks on Wednesday with the Danish king in Copenhagen, a day after Trump’s remarks on the Danish-ruled island topped world headlines.
Trump, who takes office on January 20, said on Tuesday he would not rule out using military or economic action to make Greenland part of the US. The same day, Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, visited Greenland.
Greenland, the world’s biggest island, has been part of Denmark for 600 years, though its 57,000 people are self-governing. The government led by Prime Minister Mute Egede aims for eventual independence.
“We fully recognise that Greenland has its own ambitions. If they materialise, Greenland will become independent, though hardly with an ambition to become a federal state in the United States,” Danish foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said.
He told reporters the US’s heightened security concerns in the Arctic were legitimate after increased Russian and Chinese activity in the region.
“I don’t think that we’re in a foreign policy crisis,” he said. “We are open to a dialogue with the Americans on how we can possibly co-operate even more closely than we do to ensure that the American ambitions are fulfilled.”
French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Wednesday Europe would not let other nations attack its sovereign borders, though he did not believe the US would invade Greenland.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday expressed surprise at Trump’s comments, saying European partners agreed that the inviolability of borders was a fundamental principle of international law.
“This principle applies and is a foundation of our peaceful order,” Scholz told reporters. “In my discussions with our European partners, a certain lack of understanding has emerged with regard to recent statements from the USA.
“The principle of inviolability of borders applies to every country, regardless of whether it is to the east or west of us,” said Scholz, adding Russia had violated that principle with its war in Ukraine.
He also said Nato allies would strengthen and co-ordinate their defence capabilities. “It is important that we stand together on these issues and act as one.”
Strained relations
Greenland’s relations with Denmark have been strained by allegations of colonial-era mistreatment of Greenlanders. Egede has said the island is not for sale, while in his New Year speech he stepped up his push for independence.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Tuesday she could not imagine Trump’s ambitions would lead to US military intervention in Greenland. Denmark’s military capabilities there were limited to four inspection vessels, a Challenger surveillance plane and dog sled patrols.
Frederiksen said she did not think a trade war with the US was a good way forward. Denmark was home to Novo Nordisk, Europe’s most valuable company, which makes the blockbuster weight-loss drug Wegovy that is popular in the US.
The Danish royal palace gave no details ahead of King Frederik’s meeting in Copenhagen on Wednesday with Egede.
The king remains popular on the island. He visits for extended periods, including a recent four-month expedition on the ice sheet. Last month, the royal court modified its coat of arms, enlarging a polar bear that symbolises Greenland.
“I’m sure the king is really the person best placed in Denmark to deal with this issue right now because he has a long history with Greenland,” said Damien Degeorges, a Reykjavik-based consultant specialising in Greenland.
“He’s popular in Greenland. So, he can clearly be helpful to the Danish-Greenlandic relationship.”
Trump already raised the issue of the US taking over Greenland during his first presidency, but his latest remarks still left many Danes baffled.
“I find it extremely ridiculous,” said Jeppe Finne Sorenson, a data engineer in the Danish capital. “We have an alliance, we’re allies. So this doesn’t really respect that.”
Update: January 8 2024 This story has been updated with more information.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Denmark says Greenland may become independent but not a US state
France says EU doubts ‘invasion’ but will not let other nations attack its borders after Trump’s Greenland threat
Copenhagen — Greenland may become independent if its residents want, but it would not become a US state, Denmark’s foreign minister said on Wednesday after US president-elect Donald Trump refused to rule out taking Greenland by force.
Greenland’s leader held talks on Wednesday with the Danish king in Copenhagen, a day after Trump’s remarks on the Danish-ruled island topped world headlines.
Trump, who takes office on January 20, said on Tuesday he would not rule out using military or economic action to make Greenland part of the US. The same day, Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, visited Greenland.
Greenland, the world’s biggest island, has been part of Denmark for 600 years, though its 57,000 people are self-governing. The government led by Prime Minister Mute Egede aims for eventual independence.
“We fully recognise that Greenland has its own ambitions. If they materialise, Greenland will become independent, though hardly with an ambition to become a federal state in the United States,” Danish foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said.
He told reporters the US’s heightened security concerns in the Arctic were legitimate after increased Russian and Chinese activity in the region.
“I don’t think that we’re in a foreign policy crisis,” he said. “We are open to a dialogue with the Americans on how we can possibly co-operate even more closely than we do to ensure that the American ambitions are fulfilled.”
French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Wednesday Europe would not let other nations attack its sovereign borders, though he did not believe the US would invade Greenland.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday expressed surprise at Trump’s comments, saying European partners agreed that the inviolability of borders was a fundamental principle of international law.
“This principle applies and is a foundation of our peaceful order,” Scholz told reporters. “In my discussions with our European partners, a certain lack of understanding has emerged with regard to recent statements from the USA.
“The principle of inviolability of borders applies to every country, regardless of whether it is to the east or west of us,” said Scholz, adding Russia had violated that principle with its war in Ukraine.
He also said Nato allies would strengthen and co-ordinate their defence capabilities. “It is important that we stand together on these issues and act as one.”
Strained relations
Greenland’s relations with Denmark have been strained by allegations of colonial-era mistreatment of Greenlanders. Egede has said the island is not for sale, while in his New Year speech he stepped up his push for independence.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Tuesday she could not imagine Trump’s ambitions would lead to US military intervention in Greenland. Denmark’s military capabilities there were limited to four inspection vessels, a Challenger surveillance plane and dog sled patrols.
Frederiksen said she did not think a trade war with the US was a good way forward. Denmark was home to Novo Nordisk, Europe’s most valuable company, which makes the blockbuster weight-loss drug Wegovy that is popular in the US.
The Danish royal palace gave no details ahead of King Frederik’s meeting in Copenhagen on Wednesday with Egede.
The king remains popular on the island. He visits for extended periods, including a recent four-month expedition on the ice sheet. Last month, the royal court modified its coat of arms, enlarging a polar bear that symbolises Greenland.
“I’m sure the king is really the person best placed in Denmark to deal with this issue right now because he has a long history with Greenland,” said Damien Degeorges, a Reykjavik-based consultant specialising in Greenland.
“He’s popular in Greenland. So, he can clearly be helpful to the Danish-Greenlandic relationship.”
Trump already raised the issue of the US taking over Greenland during his first presidency, but his latest remarks still left many Danes baffled.
“I find it extremely ridiculous,” said Jeppe Finne Sorenson, a data engineer in the Danish capital. “We have an alliance, we’re allies. So this doesn’t really respect that.”
Update: January 8 2024
This story has been updated with more information.
Reuters
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