Photo Courtesy of AP
BRUSSELS — Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen firmly stated on Monday that Greenland is not for sale, urging a strong response from the European Union if U.S. President Donald Trump moves forward with his threat to assert control over the island.
“I will never support the idea of fighting our allies. But if the U.S. imposes tough terms on Europe, we need to come together and respond collectively and robustly,” Frederiksen told reporters in Brussels, where EU leaders had gathered for defense discussions.
Greenland, which houses a significant U.S. military base, is an autonomous territory of Denmark, a long-standing U.S. ally. Last month, Trump suggested that the U.S. might use military force to secure Greenland, as well as the Panama Canal, stating, “We need Greenland for national security purposes.”
Frederiksen expressed strong support from her EU partners, emphasizing that sovereignty must be respected. “Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. It’s part of our territory, and it is not for sale,” she said.
She acknowledged U.S. concerns about security in the Arctic, where Russia and China have increased their activity. “I fully agree with the Americans that the Arctic region is becoming increasingly important in terms of defense, security, and deterrence,” Frederiksen said. However, she suggested that Denmark and the U.S. could strengthen their security presence in Greenland without crossing any boundaries of sovereignty.
“They’re already there, and they can have more opportunities,” Frederiksen noted, emphasizing that Denmark itself can also “scale up” its security measures. “If the aim is to secure our part of the world, we can find a way forward,” she added.
Just last week, Denmark announced a 14.6 billion kroner (nearly $2 billion) agreement with Greenland and the Faroe Islands to enhance surveillance and sovereignty in the region. The deal includes the acquisition of three new Arctic naval vessels, two long-range surveillance drones, and expanded satellite capabilities, according to Denmark’s Defense Ministry.
Frederiksen’s comments came during an EU summit where leaders were discussing defense matters, but there was no clear indication from Trump about his strategy for addressing Russia’s war on Ukraine. European leaders are concerned that any rapid deal by the U.S. could hurt Ukraine’s interests.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte were set to join the EU’s 27 leaders at the “retreat” in Brussels, where the agenda centered on EU-U.S. cooperation, military spending, and boosting Europe’s defense industry.
The summit comes as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nears its third anniversary, with many EU leaders uncertain about Trump’s stance. They are also wary of his past threats, including tariffs on European steel and aluminum during his first term.
“We are listening closely to his words, and we are preparing on our side,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said. But, she added, “there are no winners in trade wars. If the U.S. starts one, the only side that benefits is China. Our economies are deeply interlinked.”
