Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has fiercely criticized US President Donald Trump for his renewed comments on acquiring Greenland, urging him to stop issuing threats. In a recent interview with Danish broadcaster DR, Frederiksen warned that any US aggression against another NATO member would halt everything.
Trump, fresh from actions against Venezuela, reiterated that America desperately needs Greenland for strategic Arctic defense. Frederiksen dismissed these remarks as undue pressure on the self-governing territory, emphasizing that both Denmark and Greenland have repeatedly rejected any notion of it becoming part of the US.
“Unfortunately, we must take the US President seriously when he says he wants Greenland,” Frederiksen stated. She stressed Europe’s full support for respecting borders, though she refrained from predicting US actions.
European leaders rallied behind Denmark. France’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pascal Confavreux declared, “Borders cannot be changed by force.” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer affirmed that Greenland’s future belongs to Denmark and its people. Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul noted Greenland falls under NATO’s collective defense as part of Denmark.
Trump made these statements in a Sunday interview with The Atlantic, prompting Frederiksen’s immediate response demanding Washington cease threats against Greenland. Tensions escalated after Trump appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as a special envoy to Greenland last month.
Since taking office in January 2025, Trump has shown persistent interest in controlling Greenland, refusing to rule out military or economic pressure to achieve it. This has reignited diplomatic friction between Washington and Copenhagen.