The dispute over Greenland has sharpened into a direct political confrontation between Denmark and the United States, testing the boundaries of alliance politics and sovereignty in the Arctic. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen publicly rejected President Donald Trump’s repeated claims that Greenland should become part of the United States, arguing that such rhetoric undermines long-standing transatlantic ties. Speaking through a statement published on the Danish government’s website, Frederiksen said she was addressing Washington “very directly,” stressing that neither Denmark nor Greenland could be treated as territory available for annexation.

Greenland is home to about 57,000 people and has exercised extensive self-rule since 1979, although defence and foreign policy remain under Danish control. Denmark, Frederiksen emphasized, is a Nato member and therefore covered by the alliance’s collective defence guarantee. She also pointed to an existing bilateral defence agreement that already grants the United States broad access to Greenland, alongside increased Danish investment in Arctic security.

“Not for Sale”

Frederiksen’s most forceful language was reserved for what she described as US “threats” against a close ally. “It makes absolutely no sense to talk about the need for the United States to take over Greenland,” she said, adding that Washington had “no right to annex any of the three nations in the Danish kingdom.” She urged the United States to stop pressuring “another country and another people who have very clearly said that they are not for sale.”

Her comments followed a social media post by Katie Miller, a right-wing podcaster and the wife of Trump aide Stephen Miller, who shared an image of Greenland coloured as the US flag with the word “SOON.” The Danish ambassador to Washington responded with what he called a “friendly reminder” that Denmark and the United States are allies and that Copenhagen expects respect for its territorial integrity.

Strategic Value, Political Escalation

Trump has repeatedly argued that Greenland’s strategic location and mineral wealth make it essential to US national security. Speaking aboard Air Force One hours after Frederiksen’s statement, he reiterated the position. “We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it,” he said. Trump has previously refused to rule out the use of force to secure control of the vast Arctic island, which spans more than 2 million square kilometres.

The renewed rhetoric comes amid broader assertions of US power abroad. Only days earlier, Washington carried out a major military operation against Venezuela, capturing President Nicolas Maduro and his wife and transferring them to New York. Trump later said the US would “run” Venezuela and that American oil companies would begin “making money for the country,” remarks that drew international scrutiny.

Arctic Security and Public Opinion

Denmark has sought to frame the Greenland debate within existing security structures. Frederiksen noted that Copenhagen has increased defence spending in the Arctic region and that US access to Greenland is already ensured through formal agreements. The Trump administration’s decision to appoint a special envoy to Greenland, however, prompted anger in Denmark and reinforced concerns about unilateral US moves.

Public opinion in Greenland adds another constraint. While many Greenlanders support eventual independence from Denmark, opinion polls consistently show overwhelming opposition to becoming part of the United States. For Copenhagen, that sentiment underscores the political red line Frederiksen sought to draw: cooperation with Washington remains central to Danish security policy, but sovereignty and self-determination are non-negotiable.