Greenland: Deep Divisions and Rising Tensions over Sovereignty and Identity | Focus on Europe

Nov 8, 2025 | Greenland has become a geopolitical hotspot. The US, under Donald Trump, expresses interest in the island's strategic Arctic location and vast resources. While some Greenlanders support Trump and seek independence from Denmark, others reject foreign influence. Danish media report alleged US efforts to sway public opinion. The debate reveals deep divisions and rising tensions over sovereignty and identity.

It will be a very sad day for Greenlanders if their country is taken over by the USA. Can't they see how cruel Trump is as a leader? Can't they see how America treats its poor and downtrodden? — © Mark Alexander

Trump's Alleged Plot to Annex Greenland from Denmark, Revealed | World in 10

Aug 28, 2025 | “Eight sources in the Danish security services said that at least three American citizens with unspecified connections to Trump or to the White House had been in Greenland in recent months.”

Americans allegedly tried mobilising a separatist campaign to annex Greenland from Denmark and ultimately join the United States according to Danish intelligence, says Berlin correspondent Oliver Moody.


Videos and related links here and here.

Denmark issues first apology over forced contraception of Greenlandic women: Prime minister admits ‘systemic discrimination’ after thousands of girls and women fitted with IUDs without consent »

Denmark Summons US Envoy over Claims of Influence Ops in Greenland | DW News

Aug 28, 2025 | Denmark's government has summoned America's top diplomat in Copenhagen over reports of US nationals allegedly carrying out "influence operations" on the island. Danish media say at least three US citizens with links to President Trump were attempting to promote Greenland's secession from Denmark and joining the United States. President Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to take control of the Arctic territory, which is largely autonomous but part of the Kingdom of Denmark. We got insights from Ulrik Pram Gad from the Danish Institute for International Studies, DW Correspondent Jack Parrock, and Marisol Maddox, senior Arctic fellow at the Institute of Arctic Studies at Dartmouth University.

Greenland Accuses US of Influence Campaign and Summons Diplomat Mark Stroh, amid Meddling Claims

Aug 28, 2025 | Denmark’s foreign minister has called in the senior U.S. envoy in Copenhagen following reports that American operatives attempted to sway political developments in Greenland. “Greenland’s strategic importance means it will always attract attention from abroad,” Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said in a statement. “It would not be surprising if we see renewed efforts by external players to try to shape the Kingdom’s future.”

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Related articles here and here.

Denmark Summons US Diplomat over Alleged Greenland Influence Campaign

THE GUARDIAN: Danish media reports three men with ties to Donald Trump are accused of attempting to infiltrate Greenlandic society

Denmark has summoned the US charge d’affaires for an urgent meeting over an alleged influence campaign in Greenland aimed at shaping public opinion and the future of the Arctic territory.

It comes after reports from Danish media, confirmed by the Danish foreign office, that at least three US men with ties to Donald Trump and the White House had been accused of trying to infiltrate Greenlandic society.

Their activity – which, according to the broadcaster DR, includes compiling lists of Trump-supporting Greenlandic citizens – is being closely watched by the Danish government, which is understood to be aware of “foreign agents and actors” trying to shape public opinion in Greenland.

The Danish foreign minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, denounced the alleged scheme on Wednesday, saying it was “totally unacceptable”. He said: “It is important that we gain insight into this so that our populations – this applies to both Greenland and Denmark – can see what it is we are up against.”

Rasmussen said officials would make it “very clear to the US” that a foreign influence campaign in Greenland with Washington’s backing would be contrary to all international rules.

Mette Frederiksen, the Danish prime minister, said she was taking the claims “very seriously”. “Any interference in internal affairs in the kingdom of Denmark, and Greenlandic democracy, is unacceptable,” she said. “I note that the Americans do not clearly deny that the situation is as DR presents today. And that is of course serious.” » | Miranda Bryant, Nordic correspondent | Wednesday, 27 August 2025

Related article here.

Denmark Summons U.S. Envoy Over Espionage Allegations

THE NEW YORK TIMES: It’s the latest twist in the Greenland drama. President Trump wants the island, but Denmark refuses to hand it over.

Denmark summoned the head of the U.S. Embassy on Wednesday after allegations emerged that three Americans with close ties to President Trump were running “covert influence operations” in Greenland.

Mr. Trump has repeatedly said that he wants to “get” Greenland, a huge, strategically important island, mostly in the Arctic, that is a territory of Denmark.

Within hours of the allegations, published by Denmark’s main public broadcaster on Wednesday morning, the Danish Foreign Ministry summoned the current head of the embassy, the chargé d’affaires, for a meeting.

“We are aware that foreign actors continue to show an interest in Greenland,” said Lars Lokke Rasmussen, Denmark’s foreign minister, in a statement on Wednesday. “Any attempt to interfere in the internal affairs of the kingdom will of course be unacceptable.” » | Jeffrey Gettleman and Maya Tekeli | Wednesday, August 27, 2025

Anger in Greenland over Visits This Week by Usha Vance and Mike Waltz

THE GUARDIAN: Greenland’s prime minister Múte Egede says the trip by US second lady and national security adviser is a ‘provocation’

Usha Vance, the wife of US vice-president JD Vance, will travel to Greenland this week as President Donald Trump clings to the idea of a US annexation of the strategic, semi-autonomous Danish territory.

Vance will visit Greenland on Thursday with a US delegation to tour historical sites, learn about the territory’s heritage and attend the national dogsled race, the White House said in a statement.

The delegation will return to the US on 29 March. The White House national security adviser, Mike Waltz, and the energy secretary, Chris Wright, will also travel to Greenland, visiting a US military base in Greenland, a US official said. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump has made US annexation of Greenland a major talking point since taking office for a second time on 20 January and has said it will become part of the US “one way or the other”. Speaking on Sunday to the Greenlandic newspaper Sermitsiaq, Greenland’s prime minister, Múte Egede, said the visit by Waltz was a “provocation”. » | Guardian staff and agencies | Monday, March 24, 2025

THE NEW YORK TIMES:

Greenland’s Prime Minister Assails ‘Aggressive’ Trip Planned by U.S. Officials »

Danish police have sent extra personnel and sniffer dogs to Greenland as the icy island steps up security measures ahead of a planned visit this week by second lady Usha Vance, AP reports. »

Will Trump Take Greenland? | Adam Boulton vs. Katie McFarlane

Mar 16, 2025 | "We've got territorial aggression towards a fellow NATO country, in this case, Denmark."

"Have you seen any implication that Donald Trump is going to send in the American Marines to Greenland? I don't think so."

Adam Boulton and Katie McFarlane clash over whether Trump is justified in trying to take Greenland.


John Bolton has done a wonderful job of holden this woman’s feet to the fire. Katie Mc Farlane is a notorious right-wing loon. When I used to spend a lot of time in the States, she was a pretty permanent fixture on Fox News. That says it all! In this video, she talks nonsense. She also dissimulates Trump’s imperialist intentions – BIG TIME. – © Mark Alexander

Greenland’s Likely New Prime Minister Rejects Trump Takeover Efforts

THE GUARDIAN: ‘We don’t want to be Americans. We don’t want to be Danes. We want to be Greenlanders,’ says Jens-Frederik Nielsen

Greenland’s probable new prime minister has rejected Donald Trump’s effort to take control of the island, saying Greenlanders must be allowed to decide their own future as it moves toward independence from Denmark.

Jens-Frederik Nielsen, whose centre-right Democrats won a surprise victory in this week’s legislative elections and now must form a coalition government, pushed back on Thursday against Trump’s repeated claims that the US will annex the island.

“We don’t want to be Americans. No, we don’t want to be Danes. We want to be Greenlanders, and we want our own independence in the future,” Nielsen, 33, told Sky News. “And we want to build our own country by ourselves.”

Greenland’s outgoing prime minister, Múte Egede, said he would convene a meeting of party leaders to jointly reject Trump’s threats, warning: “Enough is enough.” » | Guardian staff and agencies in Nuuk | Thursday, March 13, 2025

Greenland Election: Opposition Democrat Party Wins Surprise Victory amid Spectre of Trump

THE GUARDIAN: Centre-right party wins most votes ahead of the Naleraq party, with coalition talks expected to begin

Greenland has voted for a complete overhaul of its government in a shock result in which the centre-right Democrat party more than tripled its seats after a dramatic election campaign fought against the backdrop of Donald Trump’s threats to acquire the Arctic island.

Tuesday’s election, in which the Democrats replaced Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA), the party of the former prime minister Múte B Egede, as the biggest party in the Inatsisartut, the Greenlandic parliament, also led to a doubling of seats for Naleraq – the party most open to US collaboration and which supports a snap vote on independence – making it the second-biggest party. » | Miranda Bryant and agencies | Wednesday, March 12, 2025

THE NEW YORK TIMES:

In Trump’s Shadow, Greenland Votes for a New Government: President Trump has expressed a desire to “get” Greenland, but the party that won Tuesday’s election is in no rush to change the status quo. »

Danish MEP Explains Why He Advised Trump to "F*** Off" | Anders Vistisen

Mar 11, 2025 | All eyes are on Greenland as a decisive election approaches. Greenland, the world’s largest island, strategically located exactly in the middle between Russia and the United States remains a self-governing territory of Denmark. As Greenland holds parliamentary elections on March 11, the island’s future is at stake. Will it push for independence, amid Donald Trump’s interests? Let’s get the Danish perspective on the matter with Danish MEP from the Patriots for Europe Group Anders Vistisen.

It is to be hoped that Greenlanders choose to stay with Denmark. To reject Denmark in favour of the USA would be very unwise indeed. The whole world can observe how shabbily people are treated in the USA. In the USA, if you don’t have billions, you are treated as expendable trash. My advice to Greenlanders is this: Stick with Denmark, stick with the refined and civilised Danes! – © Mark Alexander

Why the US and Europe Are Battling for Greenland’s Future | Mapped Out

Mar 8, 2025 | Greenland finds itself at the center of a lot of geopolitical attention. US President Donald Trump’s push to control it has sparked tension with NATO ally Denmark and reinforced Europe’s growing wariness that the US is no longer interested in their security. But why is the world suddenly so interested in this remote island in the far north? And what do the people in Greenland want for their own future?

Greenland Politicians Condemn ‘Disrespectful’ Trump Takeover Claim

THE GUARDIAN: Prime minister says country not for sale after laughter in Congress at US president’s assertion ‘we’re going to get it’

Donald Trump’s claim in his address to Congress that the US will acquire Greenland “one way or the other” was widely condemned in Nuuk as “disrespectful” and was said to present an “unacceptable view of humanity”.

In his speech on Tuesday night, the US president was met with laughs, including from the vice-president, JD Vance, who was sitting behind him, when he said: “I also have a message tonight for the incredible people of Greenland.”

Trump said if the Arctic island, which is part of the kingdom of Denmark, chose to become part of the US, it would be welcomed. “I think we’re going to get it [Greenland]. One way or the other we’re going to get it,” he said to laughs and applause.

Addressing Greenlandic people, he added: “We will keep you safe. We will make you rich. And together we will take Greenland to heights like you have never thought possible before.”

Naaja Nathanielsen, Greenland’s minister for natural resources, equality, business and justice, said the scenes showed a “fundamental lack of respect for us as a people, for our historical connection to these lands and for our democratic institutions”. » | Miranda Bryant, Nordic correspondent | Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Greenland’s Big Moment

THE NEW YORK TIMES: Ignored for most of its existence, the huge ice-bound island has been thrust into a geopolitical maelstrom. It’s trying to make the most of it.

Above the harbor, where little boats splattered with fish blood putter back to shore and men with ice-encrusted mustaches butcher seals, sits a two-story building where Palle Jeremiassen works. He is the mayor of Ilulissat, a small town in the Arctic Circle, and he’s got a busy day.
Howling winds just wiped out the path to the best ice-fishing spot and the fishermen, some of whom still stomp around in pants made of polar-bear fur, are getting upset.

In another settlement farther north, the ice is too thin to cross. Greenlanders call this “young ice,” and it shouldn’t be this young this deep into winter — another worrying sign of climate change. Unless Mayor Jeremiassen quickly organizes emergency shipments by helicopter, the villagers who usually cruise around on snowmobiles and dog sleds could run out of food.

Out here on the western coast of Greenland, ice defines life. The endless snowfields glitter with millions of ice crystals. A skyline of sapphire icebergs rises from the semi-frozen sea. But something even bigger is occupying the mayor’s mind at the moment, and that of many people here. It boils down to one word: Trump.

Denmark, which once colonized Greenland, still oversees many of its affairs. But now President Trump says the United States will take over Greenland, and he has not ruled out using force to do so.

“What can we do when he comes?” the mayor asks. “We will not be Americans. We don’t want to be Europeans. We want to be Greenlandic.” » | Jeffrey Gettleman | Photographs by Ivor Prickett | Jeffrey Gettleman and Ivor Prickett spent 12 days reporting across Greenland. | Thursday, February 20, 2025

Watch the NYT video about Greenland here.

Trump Doubles Down on Gaza & Canada Takeover Plans | Vantage with Palki Sharma

Feb 10, 2025 | Trump Doubles Down on Gaza & Canada Takeover Plans | Vantage with Palki Sharma | N18G

US President Donald Trump hasn't been shy about his expansionist ambitions. Trump wants to buy Greenland from Denmark and retake the Panama canal. His latest idea is the at the US will buy and own Gaza, and redevelop the war-torn enclave. He is doubling down on the idea, despite almost universal criticism. Meanwhile, Canada is genuinely afraid that Trump is serious about turning the country into the 51st US state.

JD Vance Goes Off the Rails over Alarming Trump Military Threat on Fox

Feb 8, 2025 | JD Vance goes off the rails with alarming response during Fox News interview during attempt to rationalize Donald Trump's hinted military threats against other nations, such as Greenland and Panama, to conquer their resources. John Iadarola and Jayar Jackson break it down on The Damage Report. Leave a comment with your thoughts below!

Nearly Half of Danes See US as Threat and 78% Oppose Greenland Sale, Poll Shows

THE GUARDIAN: Exclusive: More Danish people regard US as a threat than see North Korea or Iran as danger

Almost half of Danish people now consider the US to be a considerable threat to their country and the overwhelming majority oppose Greenland leaving to become part of the US, new polling has found.

The research by YouGov, shared exclusively with the Guardian, comes after weeks of tension between Denmark, Greenland and the US over Donald Trump’s repeated assertions that he plans to take control of the autonomous territory, which is part of the Danish kingdom.

The Arctic island, which has a population of 57,000 people, was formerly ruled as a colony by Denmark, which continues to control its foreign and security policy. Trump’s interest in Greenland comes at a time of growing momentum for its pre-existing independence movement.

The poll of just over 1,000 people in Denmark, conducted between 15 and 22 January, found that 46% considered the US to be either “a very big threat” or “a fairly big threat” to Denmark. » | Miranda Bryant, Nordic correspondent | Friday, January 31, 2025

Trump needs to keep his sticky maulers off Greenland. If the Americans annexed Greenland, they’d soon naff it up! No doubt the conman has his sights on real estate deals and real estate development. He probably wants to build a glitzy, naff Trump tower there. The EU needs to grow a pair and tell Trump exactly where to get off. – © Mark Alexander

Danish Leader Feeling the Heat Following Trump's Repeated Greenland Threats | DW News

Jan 29, 2025 | Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has been racing across Europe trying to shore up support from allies, following Donald Trump's repeated threats over Greenland. The US President says he wants to acquire the semi-autonomous Danish territory, and has refused to rule out using military force to do so. His demands have sent alarm bells ringing in Copenhagen and other European capitals.

How on earth can Trump possibly say that Greenlanders want to become Americans? That’s a load of Trumpian BS! One can but despise Trump for this. He has always been despised by decent people. If he continues down this road, not only will Trump be despised, but Americans and America itself will be despised too. Trump will turn the USA into a pariah state. – © Mark Alexander

Denmark Prepares for Possible Invasion by USA

Jan 28, 2025 | MeidasTouch host Ben Meiselas reports on steps being taken by Denmark and the European Union to protect against a possible invasion by American forces after Trump said he is not ruling out taking Greenland by military force.

Trump is a chump! And his henchmen are chumps, too. To hell with Trump, and to hell with the USA, too! – © Mark Alexander

THE GUARDIAN:

Olaf Scholz says borders ‘must not be moved by force’ after Trump Greenland comments: German chancellor speaks alongside Mette Frederiksen as Danish leader calls for greater cooperation in Europe »

Trump's Greenland 'Grab' - A British Problem

Jan 27, 2025 | President Trump's announcement that Denmark must transfer sovereignty over Greenland to the US has caused a transatlantic diplomat[ic] spat which has just become more complicated when Denmark revealed a 1917 agreement made with Britain concerning Greenland's future. Find out the story behind American attempts to obtain Greenland, and how British involvement may complicate President Trump's new plan.