Denmark rejects Trump's renewed push for Greenland control

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated unequivocally that Greenland is "not for sale" ahead of a NATO summit in Turkey. Her comments directly countered renewed remarks by Donald Trump suggesting Washington should take control of the Arctic territory from Copenhagen.

The public disagreement exposes a deepening rift between NATO allies over Arctic security spending. For European markets, this creates geopolitical uncertainty around a territory that Washington explicitly views as a strategic asset necessary to counter growing Russian and Chinese activity in the region.

Frederiksen told reporters that the US stance had become increasingly difficult to ignore. "I heard the US president yesterday and I think the US position is unfortunately very clear on this topic," she said. "Our position is as clear as it has been all through: Greenland is, of course, not for sale."

The Danish leader grounded her rejection in the principles of state sovereignty and local self-determination. "We hope that all, including all allies, will respect the Greenland people right for self-determination," she stated. She added that Denmark requires all parties to respect its territorial integrity and sovereignty as a sovereign state.

Despite the diplomatic friction with Washington, Frederiksen reinforced Denmark's commitment to the transatlantic military alliance. She noted that Denmark was "ready to defend every inch of NATO including our own territory." She also said she expects fellow alliance members to honour their collective defence commitments without exception.

The current dispute intensified significantly in March during a visit by US Vice President JD Vance to the Pituffik Space Base in Greenland. That trip was scaled back from broader plans following direct criticism from Greenland's leaders.

During his visit, Vance accused Denmark of underinvesting in Greenland's security. He argued that the Arctic territory holds critical strategic importance for the United States and the broader West because of expanding Russian and Chinese presence in the area.

Trump has repeatedly insisted that the US must control Greenland to address national and international security concerns. However, both Denmark and Greenland have consistently rejected any suggestion that the island could be transferred to Washington, leaving this strategic disagreement unresolved.