U.S. Efforts to Acquire Greenland ‘Not Acceptable,’ Says PM

(MENAFN) Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen delivered a sharp rebuke Monday against American efforts to acquire the Arctic territory, declaring that coercing a "sovereign country" crosses unacceptable diplomatic boundaries following Washington's appointment of a special envoy.

"The Americans know that we support them; they know there is no obstacle to the United States increasing security in the Arctic on Greenlandic territory if they wish to do so. But going from that to pressuring to take over a country that is populated and has its own sovereignty is not acceptable," Nielsen told the daily Sermitsiaq.

The prime minister revealed contradictory messaging from Washington, noting that US Ambassador to Denmark Ken Howery had recently acknowledged during a visit that Greenland opposes American annexation. Nielsen accused the Trump administration of communicating with "two voices" on the territorial dispute.

"What we are experiencing now is the exact opposite of dialogue with the ambassador, because the fact that (US President Donald) Trump in no way informed us of the appointment and in no way told us about the intentions behind the appointment is one-way communication on Trump's part. It takes at least two to have a conversation, and that has not happened," he explained.

Nielsen emphasized that allied relationships demand mutual trust, expressing hope this principle will govern current US-Greenland relations despite mounting tensions.

"At no point have we been contacted by the United States about the plans for this special envoy, so I am just as much in the dark as everyone else about what this person is supposed to do. But I note from the media that he is to assist Trump in his efforts to take over our country," he added.

Trump announced that Jeff Landry, Louisiana's governor, would assume the role of Washington's special representative to Greenland.

Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated that Landry recognizes "how essential Greenland is" for American national security and will aggressively pursue US objectives to guarantee allied protection and global stability.

The autonomous Danish territory has drawn American strategic attention due to its pivotal Arctic positioning and abundant mineral wealth. Trump has previously labeled acquiring Greenland an "absolute necessity" for US economic security, likening it to a "large real estate deal."

Both Copenhagen and Nuuk have categorically rejected territorial sale proposals, firmly reaffirming Denmark's sovereignty over the island.

MENAFN23122025000045017169ID1110516605