Germany backs Denmark amid Trump’s claims to Greenland, says Merz

Berlin (dpa) – Germany supports Denmark in the face of US President Donald Trump’s claims to Greenland, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Wednesday.

“The principle of the inviolability of borders is enshrined in international law and is not up for negotiation,” Merz said in Berlin after a meeting with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

“We stand firmly alongside our Danish friends on these issues and that will remain the case,” the German chancellor added.

Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to take control of Greenland – a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark – and has not ruled out doing so with military force.

Against the backdrop of these comments, US Vice President JD Vance visited the US military base at Pituffik in northern Greenland at the end of March.

Greenland and Denmark have categorically rejected Trump’s approaches.

Frederiksen on Wednesday stressed that the sovereignty of states is a core element of the world order, and attacks on such fundamental principles and values cannot be allowed.

The future of Greenland can only be decided by its people, she emphasized.

She said she believes that Trump is serious about Greenland. “But we are also serious,” she added.