Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has urged US President Donald Trump to stop making what she described as “threats” about taking over Greenland, saying Washington has no right to annex any part of the Danish kingdom.
Frederiksen said it was “absolutely senseless” to suggest that the United States needs to take control of Greenland, stressing that Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands are sovereign parts of the same kingdom.
Her remarks followed a social media post by Katie Miller, wife of Trump aide Stephen Miller, who shared an image of Greenland coloured like the US flag with the word “soon,” fuelling fresh controversy.
In a statement posted on the Danish government’s website, Frederiksen said she was addressing the United States “very directly,” noting that Denmark and Greenland are Nato members covered by the alliance’s collective security guarantee. She added that Denmark already has a defence agreement granting the US access to Greenland and has increased its own investment in Arctic security.
“I strongly urge the United States to stop the threats against a historically close ally and against another country and another people who have clearly said they are not for sale,” she said.
Speaking later aboard Air Force One, Trump repeated his stance, saying the US needs Greenland for national security reasons and questioning Denmark’s ability to manage the territory.
The Danish ambassador to the United States also responded to the social media post, reminding Washington that the two countries are allies and that Denmark expects respect for its territorial integrity.
Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of Greenland becoming part of the United States, citing its strategic location in the Arctic and its mineral resources. He has previously declined to rule out the use of force to secure control of the island.
Greenland, home to about 57,000 people, has enjoyed extensive self-rule since 1979, though defence and foreign policy remain under Danish authority. While many Greenlanders support eventual independence from Denmark, opinion polls show strong opposition to becoming part of the United States.
With inputs from BBC