Greenland’s Prime Minister has issued a strong response to Donald Trump following the president’s recent threats to annex the Arctic region, home to just 57,000 residents.
This week, President Trump threatened to claim the territory after executing a large-scale airstrike on Venezuela and capturing its leader, Nicolás Maduro, from a secure location near Caracas.
Trump justified his actions by referencing a new version of the Monroe Doctrine—a 200-year-old foreign policy established with the British Empire, which designated the Americas as within the US’ sphere of influence. He dubbed his updated approach the ‘Donroe Doctrine’.
In line with this historic policy, Trump reiterated his intention to annex Greenland on Sunday, telling reporters, “we need Greenland from the standpoint of national security”. In response, Greenland’s PM, Jens Frederik Nielsen, has told Trump to “stop the threats”.
This statement followed Trump’s alarming remarks regarding the sovereignty of neighboring countries, including threats to destabilize the governments of Cuba, Mexico, and Colombia.
Concerning Greenland, Trump said, “You know what Denmark did recently to boost up security in Greenland? They added one more dog sled. It’s true. They thought that was a great move.”
He also provided a timeline for when discussions might occur, stating: “We’ll worry about Greenland in about two months … let’s talk about Greenland in 20 days.”
In response to these declarations, Nielsen asserted, “That’s enough now,” referring to Greenland, an autonomous Danish region desired by US expansionists since 1867, and which was occupied by American forces during and after World War Two.
Nielsen highlighted Greenland’s ‘strategic location’ and its reliance on US military support, secured through NATO. “But alliances are built on trust. And trust requires respect,” he stated in a Facebook post directed at his 57,000 fellow citizens.
“Threats, pressure and talk of annexation do not belong anywhere between friends. That’s not how you talk to a people who have repeatedly shown responsibility, stability and loyalty. This is enough.”
Since 2019, President Trump has been vocal about his desire to negotiate for the independent territory, which has its own parliament and economy, while foreign policy and financial support are managed by the Kingdom of Denmark, with residents holding Danish citizenship.
Following Trump’s comments, Nielsen declared, “No more pressure. No more hints. No more fantasies about annexation. Greenland is our home and our territory. And that’s how it continues to be.”
Denmark also remains firm on the matter of Greenland, with ties dating back to the Viking era. Danish PM Mette Frederiksen recently stated, “I have to say this very clearly to the United States: it is absolutely absurd to say that the United States should take control of Greenland.”
Nonetheless, some influential figures in the US administration appear focused on Greenland. Katie Miller, a former aide and wife of Stephen Miller, shared an image of Greenland covered with the US flag, captioned “soon”.