Danish PM urges Trump to stop threats against ‘historically close ally’
On Sunday, following comments by Donald Trump in which he declined to rule out the use of force to take over Greenland, the autonomous territory that is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen released an official statement rebuking the U.S. president, calling on him to stop his threats against a “historically close ally”:
“I need to say this very directly to the United States:
It makes absolutely no sense to talk about it being necessary for the United States to take over Greenland. The United States has no entitlement to annex one of the three countries of the Kingdom of Denmark.
The Kingdom of Denmark — and thus Greenland — is part of NATO and is therefore covered by the alliance’s security guarantee. We already have a defence agreement between the Kingdom and the United States that gives the U.S. wide access to Greenland. And on the part of the Kingdom, we have made significant investments in security in the Arctic.
I therefore strongly urge the United States to stop the threats against a historically close ally and against another country and another people who have very clearly stated that they are not for sale.”
The reaction from Nuuk
Earlier in the day, Greenlandic Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen released a statement on his LinkedIn addressing a January 3 post on X (formerly Twitter) by Katie Miller, the wife of top Trump aide Stephen Miller, in which she implied that the United States would annex Greenland “soon.” Nielsen called for calm, encouraged dialogue and reiterated his longstanding position that Greenland is not for sale:
“First and foremost, let me say calmly and clearly that there is no reason for panic or insecurity.
The image shared by Katie Miller, in which Greenland is depicted wrapped in an American flag, does not change anything whatsoever. Our country is not for sale, and our future is not decided by posts on social media.
However, the image is disrespectful. Relations between countries and peoples are built on respect and on international law, not on symbolic gestures that ignore our status and our rights.
We are a democratic society with self-government, free elections, and strong institutions. Our position is firmly anchored in international law and in internationally recognised agreements. That is not in question.
Naalakkersuisut is continuing its work calmly and responsibly. We are engaging in dialogue, safeguarding our interests, and standing by the international rules of the game that also bind our partners.
There is no reason for panic. But there is good reason to push back against a lack of respect.”
