Political leaders in Greenland have firmly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed threats to acquire the Arctic island, saying Greenlanders do not want to become Americans and must decide their own future.
Leaders of five parties in the Greenlandic parliament issued a rare joint statement on Friday after Trump warned the United States would “do something” about Greenland “either the nice way or the more difficult way.” The statement was signed by Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, former prime minister Múte B. Egede, and party leaders Pele Broberg, Aleqa Hammond, and Aqqalu C. Jerimiassen.
“We don’t want to be Americans, we don’t want to be Danish, we want to be Greenlanders,” the leaders said, stressing that the island’s future must be decided by its people without external pressure or interference.
Trump made his remarks following a meeting with oil and gas executives at the White House, arguing Greenland is vital to U.S. national security and claiming Russia and China could otherwise gain control. The White House has confirmed Trump is actively discussing a potential offer to acquire the mineral-rich territory.
Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Danish kingdom, has repeatedly rejected the idea of joining the United States. A 2025 poll found 85 per cent of Greenlanders opposed becoming part of the U.S. Polling also shows limited support among Americans for any military action related to the island.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has urged Trump to stop making takeover threats, warning that any annexation attempt would undermine NATO and post–Second World War security arrangements.
The United States has maintained a military presence in Greenland since the Second World War, but Trump said existing lease agreements were insufficient, insisting that “ownership” was necessary for defence.
Greenlandic leaders and civil society groups have dismissed Trump’s claims of widespread Russian and Chinese activity around the island, reiterating that decisions about Greenland’s future rest solely with Greenlanders.