US President Donald Trump has once again floated the idea of annexing Greenland, reigniting diplomatic tensions after Denmark’s leadership warned him to “stop the threats” over the strategically located Arctic territory.
Speaking to reporters, Trump defended his remarks, insisting that Greenland is vital to American interests. “We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security,” he said, repeating long-standing arguments that the semi-autonomous Danish territory’s location and mineral resources make it crucial to US defence strategy.
The comments drew an immediate and forceful response from Greenland’s Prime Minister, Jens Frederik Nielsen, who dismissed the proposal outright.
“That’s enough now,” Nielsen said. “No more pressure. No more insinuations. No more fantasies of annexation.”
He stressed that while Greenland remains open to dialogue with Washington, any discussions must respect international law and established diplomatic channels.
“We are open to dialogue. We are open to discussions. But this must happen through the proper channels and with respect for international law,” he added.
Denmark’s Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, also weighed in, reiterating Copenhagen’s firm opposition to any suggestion of US annexation.
“The United States has no right to annex any of the three nations in the Danish kingdom,” Frederiksen said, referring to Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. She underscored that Greenland, through Denmark, is a member of NATO and already covered by the alliance’s collective security guarantees.
Frederiksen further noted that a defence agreement granting the US military access to Greenland is already in place, making annexation both unnecessary and unacceptable.
The latest diplomatic row was sparked in part by a social media post from Katie Miller, the wife of Trump’s senior aide Stephen Miller, who shared an image of Greenland coloured like the American flag with the caption “SOON.” The post quickly drew backlash from Danish officials.
Denmark’s ambassador to the United States responded with what he described as a “friendly reminder” that the two countries are allies and that Denmark expects full respect for its territorial integrity.
Trump first raised the idea of acquiring Greenland during his earlier presidency, a suggestion that was met with widespread ridicule and rejection from both Danish and Greenlandic leaders.
Despite that, the renewed remarks suggest the idea remains part of his broader geopolitical outlook, particularly as competition intensifies in the Arctic region.
For now, leaders in Copenhagen and Nuuk have made it clear that Greenland’s future is not up for negotiation — and certainly not for annexation.
