Copenhagen: Greenland's Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen has given a blunt response to US President Donald Trump's repeated threats of annexation. Nielsen said that if the people of Greenland were asked to choose now, they would choose Denmark over the United States. Nielsen's comments came during a joint press conference with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and represent the strongest statement yet from a leader of this Arctic region against the US president's plan. Trump has described Greenland as a threat to US national security. The White House has suggested buying the island, but has not ruled out the use of military force to seize it.
Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory of the European country Denmark. Significantly, Denmark is a member of the US-led military alliance NATO. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that the use of military force against Greenland could lead to the end of NATO.
Denmark Rejects US Pressure
In the latest press conference with Nielsen in Copenhagen, Frederiksen described the pressure being exerted by their closest ally regarding Greenland as completely unacceptable. The Greenlandic Prime Minister said that they are facing a geopolitical crisis, but clarified their position. He said that if they had to choose between the US and Denmark right now, they would choose Denmark.
Greenland's Frank Message to the US
Nielsen said, "One thing should be clear to everyone. Greenland does not want to be under the control of the United States. Greenland does not want to be governed by the United States. Greenland does not want to become a part of the United States." This press conference in Copenhagen took place a day before Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and his Greenlandic counterpart Vivian Motzfeldt were scheduled to travel to the United States.
Trump angered by Greenland PM's statement
When asked about the Greenlandic Prime Minister's comments, Trump said, "That's their problem. I disagree with them. It's going to be a big problem for them." Last week, Trump said that US ownership of Greenland was necessary to protect against Russia and China. He claimed that if the US didn't acquire Greenland, China and Russia would seize it.
However, there is already a US military presence in Greenland. Under existing agreements with Denmark, the US can bring in as many troops as it wants to Greenland, but this is not enough for Trump. Last week, he said that the lease agreement was insufficient. The US needs ownership, and NATO needs to understand this.
