Denmark has pushed back forcefully against renewed calls by U.S. President Donald Trump to annex Greenland, with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen using her New Year’s speech to reject the idea outright and signal a major shift in Arctic defense policy. The comments have intensified diplomatic tensions as Greenland’s future once again becomes a flashpoint between longtime allies.
Speaking in a nationally televised address, Frederiksen said Denmark would “stand firm” against any attempt to pressure Greenland into changing its status, stressing that sovereignty and international law were not negotiable.
“We are not the ones seeking conflict,” she said. “But let no one be in any doubt: no matter what happens, we will stand firm on what is right and wrong.”
Trump revives Greenland annexation plans
The Danish prime minister’s remarks followed fresh statements from Trump, who has revived his long-standing interest in bringing Greenland under U.S. control since returning to office in 2025. The president has repeatedly argued that Greenland is critical for American national security, citing its strategic location in the Arctic.
U.S. moves to appoint envoy to Greenland as Arctic tensions echo Kashmir
At a press conference on December 23, Trump dismissed Denmark’s historical claims to the territory and suggested that the issue could be resolved through negotiation or pressure.
“We need it for national protection,” Trump said. “They say Denmark was there 300 years ago with a boat. Well, we were there with boats too. So we’ll have to work it all out.”
The rhetoric escalated further last week when the White House appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a special U.S. envoy to Greenland, a move widely seen in Copenhagen as a sign that Washington intends to pursue the annexation issue more aggressively.
Denmark boosts military presence in the Arctic
In response to growing uncertainty, Frederiksen said Denmark has moved faster than ever to strengthen its military capabilities, particularly in the Arctic region. She described a sharp increase in defense spending and expanded cooperation with NATO allies.
“Never before have we increased our military strength so significantly, so quickly,” she said, according to Danish newspaper Berlingske.
The Danish government has emphasized Arctic patrols, surveillance, and training as part of its broader response to rising geopolitical competition in the region.
King Frederik echoes message of unity
Frederiksen’s message was reinforced by King Frederik X in his annual New Year’s Eve address. While the monarch did not mention Trump by name, he warned that global security conditions were deteriorating and praised Greenlanders for their resilience.
“Our greatest strength is to stand united — in the Kingdom of Denmark, in Europe and in NATO,” King Frederik said.
He highlighted new Arctic military training programs in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, as evidence of Denmark’s commitment to defending the region amid growing international tensions.
Greenlanders oppose becoming part of the U.S.
Public opinion in Greenland remains firmly against becoming part of the United States. Polls have consistently shown overwhelming opposition to U.S. annexation, with local leaders stressing that Greenland’s future must be decided by its own population.
Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, managing most domestic affairs while Copenhagen retains control over defense and foreign policy.
Despite this, U.S. diplomatic outreach on the island has expanded. The U.S. consulate in Nuuk is currently recruiting unpaid interns to help communicate American foreign policy priorities, according to a job listing cited by European outlet Euractiv.
The listing, originally posted in 2023, has raised questions in Danish media about whether local taxpayers could indirectly shoulder the cost of such programs.
Intelligence warning signals historic shift
Tensions surrounding Greenland have already had significant consequences. Earlier in December, Denmark’s intelligence service took the unprecedented step of identifying the United States as a potential national security threat.
In its annual threat assessment, the agency cited Washington’s increasing willingness to use economic and military power “to enforce its will — even against allies.”
It marked the first time Denmark has publicly described the U.S. in such terms, underscoring how seriously Copenhagen views Trump’s Greenland annexation rhetoric.
Arctic rivalry adds pressure
The Greenland dispute is unfolding as competition intensifies across the Arctic, driven by melting ice, new shipping routes and access to critical resources. Russia and China have both expanded their presence in the region, prompting NATO members to reassess long-standing security assumptions.
For Denmark, Trump’s renewed focus on Greenland has transformed a diplomatic disagreement into a central national security concern.
“About wanting to take over another country, another people — as if it were something you could buy and own,” Frederiksen said.
As tensions continue, Danish leaders have made one message clear: Greenland is not for sale, and Denmark is prepared to defend that position politically, diplomatically and militarily.