Comments made by US President Donald Trump have caused friction with Greenland, as US government officials plan a visit that they claim is merely for a national sporting event
Greenland has branded the actions of the US government ‘highly aggressive’ after Trump comments.
Tensions between the United States and Greenland are rising, due to comments made by President Trump since he took office. In recent talks on US national security, the 78-year old said: “I think Greenland is going to be something that maybe is in our future.”
In a joint session of Congress earlier this month, Trump also said of Greenland: “I think we’re going to get it one way or the other.” He then added that the island’s 57,000 residents “want to be with us”.
Since Trump’s statements, multiple US officials have planned visits to the territory. According to a White House press release, Usha Vance (the wife of Vice President, JD Vance) is confirmed to be travelling to the country later this week to watch the island’s national dogsled race.
National security adviser Mike Waltz is also reported to be visiting later this week, sparking resistance from Greenland’s government. In an interview with local newspaper Sermitsiaq Greenland’s Prime Minister, Mute B. Egede, called the US visits “very aggressive”, explaining America’s stance toward Greenland is “so serious that the level cannot be raised any further”.
Egede said: “What is the national security adviser doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to demonstrate power over us. His mere presence in Greenland will no doubt fuel American belief in Trump’s mission — and the pressure will increase.”
Jens-Frederik Nielsen, a frontrunner for Greenland’s next leader, pointed out the tricky timing of the visits. Nielsen told Sermitsiaq: “The fact that the Americans know very well that we are still in a negotiating situation and that the municipal elections have not yet concluded, they still capitalize on the moment to come to Greenland, once again, which shows a lack of respect for the Greenlandic population.”
The comments come after reports of a heated phone call last week between the US President, and incumbent Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen. Frederiksen reportedly insisted that Greenland was not for sale, despite Trump’s attempts.
The world’s biggest island, Greenland has been controlled by Denmark for about 300 years, despite being nearly 3,000 kilometres away. A 2025 poll showed that 84% of Greenlanders would support independence from Denmark, with virtually no citizens wanting to join the United States.
Nevertheless, businessman-turned-politician recently told reporters on Air Force One: “I don’t really know what claim Denmark has to it, but it would be a very unfriendly act if they didn’t allow that to happen because it’s for the protection of the free world.
“I think Greenland we’ll get because it has to do with freedom of the world. It has nothing to do with the United States other than that we’re the one that can provide the freedom. They can’t.”
The Daily Star reported yesterday that Russia has allegedly ‘promised’ to help Trump acquire Greenland, Canada, and Ireland.
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