Greenland rejects US control as PM defies Trump’s annexation claim

Greenland’s Prime Minister asserts sovereignty, dismissing Trump’s claim that the US will take control of the autonomous Danish territory.

The Asumminut Bridge spans an inlet in Sisimiut, Greenland, on March 30, 2025. Photo by Juliette Pavy/Bloomberg

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Greenland’s Prime Minister, Jens Frederik Nielsen, has firmly rejected any possibility of the United States taking control of the autonomous Danish territory. His statement came after US President Donald Trump declared on March 29 that he was "100 percent confident" in his efforts to annex Greenland. The claim has sparked controversy, with Nielsen making it clear that Greenland's sovereignty is not up for negotiation.

Greenland’s PM rebuffs Trump’s annexation remarks

In a direct response to Trump’s statement, Nielsen took to social media on March 30 to refute the president’s claims.

"President Trump said the United States will get Greenland. Let me say this: The United States will not succeed," Nielsen stated.

The Prime Minister emphasized that Greenland is not a territory to be claimed by any nation and that its future is determined solely by its people.

"We are not owned by anyone. We are the ones who determine our own future," he added.

Nielsen also urged Greenlanders to remain calm and not be unsettled by Trump’s remarks. He stressed that while the statements were provocative, they should be handled with composure and respect.

Trump’s ongoing interest in Greenland

Trump’s claim that the United States should control Greenland is not new. Since December of last year, he has repeatedly expressed the belief that US influence in the Arctic region is crucial for national security and economic interests.

His stance has raised concerns among Greenlandic leaders, as well as officials in Denmark, which still maintains sovereignty over Greenland despite its autonomous status.

However, Trump’s assertions have received little support from Greenland’s political establishment. Most of the island’s major parties have dismissed the idea outright, and public sentiment remains strongly in favor of self-rule.

Greenland’s history of autonomy and resistance

Greenland, the world’s largest island, was a Danish colony until 1953. Over time, it has gradually gained more control over its governance. In 2009, it was granted self-rule, which gave it full authority over domestic policies, while Denmark retained responsibility for foreign affairs and defense.

The push for greater autonomy has been a long-standing issue in Greenlandic politics, with many advocating for complete independence from Denmark in the future. Trump’s comments have only reinforced Greenland’s desire to protect its sovereignty.

US geopolitical interests in Greenland

Greenland holds strategic significance due to its location in the Arctic, an area of increasing geopolitical competition. The US already operates the Thule Air Base in northern Greenland, a key military installation for monitoring the Arctic region.

A "Make America Go Away" baseball cap, distributed for free by Danish artist Jens Martin Skibsted, displayed in Sisimiut, Greenland, on March 30, 2025. Photo by Juliette Pavy/Bloomberg

The island’s vast natural resources, including rare earth minerals, also make it an attractive prospect for economic exploitation. Trump’s interest in Greenland is widely believed to stem from these factors, rather than any genuine concern for the welfare of its people.

Danish and international reaction

Denmark, which still maintains formal sovereignty over Greenland, has also dismissed Trump’s remarks. Danish officials have repeatedly stated that Greenland is not for sale and that any discussions about its future must be led by Greenland’s government and its people.

Internationally, Trump’s comments have been met with skepticism, with many analysts viewing them as unrealistic. While the US maintains strong diplomatic and military ties with Greenland, any attempt to assert control over the territory would be met with fierce resistance.

Greenland’s path forward

For Greenland, Trump’s statements serve as a reminder of the island’s unique geopolitical position. While it continues to build its own governance structures, the push for full independence remains a long-term goal for many Greenlanders.

As Nielsen reaffirmed, Greenland’s future is in the hands of its own people, not foreign powers. His rejection of Trump’s claim underscores the island’s commitment to self-determination and its refusal to be treated as a bargaining chip in global politics.