5 things to know about Greenland, why Trump wants to acquire it for the US

4. Leaders of Greenland and Denmark are opposed to possible US annexation

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen weighed in on the prospect of the U.S. annexing Greenland in a Facebook post last Sunday: “Our country is not an object of superpower rhetoric. We are a people. A land. And democracy. This has to be respected. Especially by close and loyal friends. We are a part of NATO and we are fully aware of our country’s strategic location. And we realize that our security depends on good friends and strong alliances. In this regard, a respectful and loyal relationship with the United States is very important.” 

“It’s been that way for decades,” he continued. “But alliances are built on trust. And trust requires respect. 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. No more pressure. No more hints. No more fantasies about annexation.”

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reacted to Trump’s comments about Greenland in a statement last Sunday. “It makes absolutely no sense to talk about the need for the United States to take over Greenland,” she said. “The United States has no right to annex any of the three countries in the Commonwealth.” 

“The Kingdom of Denmark — and thus Greenland — is part of NATO and is therefore covered by the alliance’s security guarantee. We already have a defense agreement between the Kingdom and the United States today, which gives the United States wide access to Greenland. And we, on the part of the Kingdom, have invested significantly in security in the Arctic.” 

Frederiksen concluded by urging the U.S. “to stop the threats against a historically close ally and against another country and another people who have said very clearly that they are not for sale.”