Denmark’s Prime Minister Reiterates Greenland is Not for Sale in Message to Trump.
In a recent phone call with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen firmly reiterated that Greenland is not for sale. The conversation, which took place on January 9, 2025, was a direct response to Trump’s repeated statements about the necessity of U.S. control over the world’s largest island.
Frederiksen emphasized that Greenland must make its own decisions regarding its independence. She highlighted that Denmark is open to discussions about boosting security in Greenland or increasing the U.S. military presence on the island, but the sovereignty of Greenland remains non-negotiable.
The issue of Greenland has been a point of contention between Denmark and the United States for some time. During his first term, Trump canceled a trip to Denmark after Frederiksen called the idea of the U.S. purchasing Greenland “absurd”. Trump responded by calling her comments “nasty” and “inappropriate“. Despite this rocky history, Frederiksen’s recent call with Trump aimed to clarify Denmark’s stance on the matter.
Greenland’s Prime Minister Múte Egede has also been vocal about the island’s independence aspirations. He stated that Greenland is not for sale and that the island does not want to be American or Danish but seeks to be independent. Egede’s stance aligns with Frederiksen’s message to Trump, reinforcing the importance of respecting Greenland’s autonomy.
Denmark has sent private messages to Trump’s team, expressing its willingness to discuss strengthening security in Greenland or increasing the U.S. military presence there without claiming the island. This approach aims to address Trump’s security concerns without compromising Greenland’s sovereignty. The conversation between Frederiksen and Trump underscores the complexities of international relations and the importance of respecting the autonomy of semi-autonomous territories.
