Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has called for unity between Denmark and Greenland in response to growing pressure from the United States, emphasising that the two parts of the Kingdom must remain closely aligned to safeguard their shared interests. She made the remarks in an interview during her three-day visit to Greenland, which ended yesterday.
The visit marked an important step in Denmark’s effort to consolidate ties with Greenland. The Prime Minister said that the most effective response to US pressure is, for Greenland and Denmark, to stick together. Greenland, once a Danish colony, became an integral part of the Kingdom of Denmark in 1953. It was granted home rule in 1979, expanding its autonomy, though Denmark retains control over foreign affairs and defence.
She has put on a show of unity with Greenlandic leaders in her first visit to the Arctic island since Donald Trump’s renewed threats to acquire the territory, telling the US: “You cannot annex another country.”
Speaking onboard an inspection ship in front of a military helicopter, alongside Greenland’s new prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, and its outgoing prime minister, Múte B Egede, Mette Frederiksen switched from Danish to English to address the diplomatic standoff with the Trump administration.
“This is about the world order that we have built together across the Atlantic over generations,” she said. “You cannot annex another country – not even with an argument about international security.”
Denmark and Greenland “want to cooperate with the United States”, she said. “If you want to be more present in Greenland, Greenland and Denmark are ready. If you want to strengthen security in the Arctic, as we would like, let’s do it together.”
Accusing the US of subjecting Denmark and Greenland to “pressure and threats”, she said: “What should we believe about the country we have admired for many years?”