After suggesting he wanted to buy the Danish territory, President-elect Donald Trump has again set his sights on Greenland, implying that he could even use military force if he thought it necessary.
"We need Greenland for national security purposes," Trump said at a press conference, saying that Russian and Chinese ships pass around the Arctic island, which neighbors Canada and Iceland.
"I've been told that for a long time, long before I even ran. I mean, people have been talking about it for a long time. You have approximately 45,000 people there. People really don't even know if Denmark has any legal right to it, but if they do, they should give it up, because we need it for national security."
At the same time as Trump was speaking, his son Donald Trump Jr. made a private trip to Greenland. Trump Jr. said during a Fox News interview that residents in Greenland "love" his father and are "really into this concept" of the U.S. purchasing the territory.
So, what do Greenlanders think of Trump and his warning that Denmark should give it up? Newsweek asked some prominent Greenlanders for their views. Here's what they said.
Aki-Matilda Høegh-Dam: I Don't See Trump's Greenland Remarks as a Direct Threat
I believe that Trump's rhetoric often reflects a strategic approach where he avoids revealing his intentions outright. This keeps his audience, and often his negotiation counterparts, uncertain and on edge.
From my perspective, his statement underscores Greenland's growing geopolitical importance while simultaneously highlighting the need for constructive dialogue.
I do not interpret his remarks as a direct threat of military force toward Greenland or Denmark, but they do suggest that the United States may feel compelled to act if the Kingdom of Denmark is perceived as not addressing security concerns effectively.
It's worth noting that Greenland has long provided the U.S. access to military bases, such as Pituffik, which has facilitated mutually beneficial cooperation—especially when Greenland has had a seat at the negotiation table.
That said, Greenland is a nation rooted in its Inuit heritage, with a peaceful tradition of never having gone to war with other nations. Our leadership reflects this ethos, focusing on protection and the well-being of our people.
This situation highlights the necessity for Greenland, Denmark, and our allies to collaborate in securing the Arctic region.
As Greenland moves toward greater sovereignty, we remain steadfast in our commitment to being a responsible and cooperative partner, working to ensure the stability and security of this strategically vital area.
Our ultimate vision is to become an independent state and to exercise our international right to self-determination, free from colonization or coercion.
Greenland seeks partnerships based on mutual respect and shared goals, including fostering strong ties with the United States—a neighbor with whom we have a long history of collaboration, particularly in military security.
As we work toward becoming a free and sovereign nation, we aim to engage with all nations on equal terms, contributing to a global community rooted in fairness, democracy, and respect.
Aki-Matilda Høegh-Dam is a member of the Danish parliament representing Greenland. She is with the social democratic Siumut party.
Jessie Kleemann: Trump's Greenland Rhetoric Is War-Lingo
Well, it is no surprise at all. I think he is cancelling us as a people, the Inuit people and Greenlanders of Greenland.
In fact, I think many have been anticipating what Donald Trump would say or do in regards to Greenland, since 2019 and the infamous offer to "buy" the country. I don't know if he missed something in history class?
Personally, I think sending out military threats, and telling false stories about the Greenlandic people by letting Donald Jr. go to Nuuk on an alleged "hygge-tour" as another predator and grooming a few vulnerable people in the city by giving them free lunch and baseball caps, only confirms his nasty ways and an entitled position of power in the world alongside Putin, so his rhetoric is war-lingo.
Jessie Kleemann is an artist and poet.
Maliina Abelsen: Trump Is Breaking All Diplomatic Rules
It is crucial that we in Greenland think clearly and plan for the long term.
We must use all the diplomatic skills we possess and not be dazzled by a country that is on the verge of electing a president whose policies will further widen the gap between rich and poor.
A president whose policies roll back the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, deprioritize healthcare, and permit derogatory statements about ethnicity and women to go unchallenged.
Trump talking about using military power in Greenland is horrendous, and he is breaking all diplomatic rules.
We live in an unstable and challenging world. Therefore, it is essential for Greenland to make an effort to communicate precisely what we want and how we intend to achieve it.
If we want to be heard and taken seriously, we must avoid trading one form of colonial chains for another.
It is critical that we are not blinded by money or short-term opportunities but instead seize this moment to engage in an honest and constructive dialogue with Denmark.
The visit by Trump's son should serve as an opportunity for a serious discussion with Denmark about what it means to be equal partners.
We should discuss what Greenland and Denmark can agree on as part of a shared community—even as Greenland moves toward independence. Because, of course, independence is the goal. Who wouldn't want to be "master in their own house"?
But at the same time, we must give ourselves the space for an open and thorough public debate about the kind of Greenland we want in the future and what will define us as a people.
These are questions we must answer for ourselves within our country—they should not be dictated by offers from abroad.
Let us also remember that our indigenous kin in the United States have suffered under colonialism—a struggle that continues to this day.
Maliina Abelsen is co-owner of Pikiala, a consultancy firm. She is also the chair of Royal Greenland, a state-owned fishing company, and a former minister of finance in Greenland's government.
Pele Broberg: Many in Greenland Want Closer U.S. Ties
In 2018, I campaigned with a roadmap aimed at following the example of Norway and Iceland for exiting the Danish Kingdom. Inspired by the three-year Brexit process and our own three-year exit from the E.U. in 1985, it was a three-year plan for establishing Greenland as a state in the UN.
A key component of my vision was advocating for a defense agreement directly between Greenland and the United States, replacing the current arrangement managed by Denmark. I also emphasized the importance of securing a free trade agreement between Greenland and the U.S.
However, none of the other political parties in Greenland or Denmark supported this vision. They rejected the possibility of following UN resolutions or implementing Greenland's Self-Government Act.
Perhaps as a response to our independence aspirations, former U.S. President Trump proposed purchasing Greenland in 2019.
This was later followed by agreements during his administration, including "The Common Plan," finalized in 2020, which can be found on the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website.
Given the agreements Greenland entered during Trump's presidency, it is understandable that the U.S. continues to show interest in Greenland, especially as Greenlandic politicians have not taken concrete steps to diversify Greenland's relations beyond Denmark.
Since World War II, the people of Greenland have wanted to open up to the world and move beyond dependency on Denmark. At the same time, there is a strong desire to assert sovereignty over our land.
Many Greenlanders are open to closer relations with the United States, but there are also Danish citizens and assimilated Inuit who campaign against agreements with nations other than Denmark, often using fear-based arguments.
Should there be a change in the next election, and if Naleraq transitions from being the largest opposition party to leading the government, it is anticipated that we will move to exit the Danish Kingdom, following our previous plan as a general blueprint.
This would include fostering closer ties with the United States—not only in defense, as they currently manage Greenland's defense, but also in trade.
After all, Greenland is part of North America.
Pele Broberg is chairman of Greenland's pro-independence Naleraq party. He is a member of Greenland's parliament and a former minister of trade and commerce, foreign affairs, and finance.
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