Trump’s expansionist desire for Greenland

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen accuses Washington of flirting with colonial practices and warns of the global impact of escalating rhetoric

The stability of a historic alliance faces its most severe test. The reactivation of an old American desire to annex Greenland puts the fundamental principles of the international order in check. Consequently, the Kingdom of Denmark erects a firm barrier of diplomacy. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen therefore leads a necessary resistance against colonialist rhetoric.

This crisis does not arise in isolation. On the contrary, it echoes a worrying period where powers seem to reevaluate established borders. After interventionist actions in other regions, former President Donald Trump’s faction turns its eyes to the north. However, Copenhagen made it clear that the time for treating territories as bargaining chips is over.

A map and a legend that raised the alarm

The immediate trigger occurred on social media. Katie Miller, wife of an influential Trump adviser, published a provocative map. The image showed Greenland with the US flag and the caption “coming soon”. Immediately, the reaction came from Nuuk, the Greenlandic capital.

Local Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen classified the publication as “disrespectful” and “totally unacceptable”. Furthermore, he demanded that the United States abandon its “annexation fantasies.” His speech reinforced, above all, the right to self-determination of the Greenlandic people. These people enjoy broad autonomy within the Kingdom of Denmark.

Read also: Frederiksen defies Trump and defends Greenland

A direct warning from Copenhagen to Washington

Later, the Danish Prime Minister raised the tone of her response. In an interview with the magazine The AtlanticMette Frederiksen delivered a harsh review. “I have to say this very directly to the United States,” declared the leader.

“I strongly urge the US to cease threats against a historic ally,” added Frederiksen. She also recalled that Greenland is part of the Danish kingdom and is under the protection of NATO. Therefore, the attempt to treat it as land without an owner ignores the legal framework of the alliance itself.

The dangerous logic of “hemispheric defense”

Analysts point out that the obsession with the largest island in the world goes beyond a whim. In fact, it fits into a one-sided view of security. Trump and his vice president, JD Vance, frequently invoke the concept of “hemispheric defense.”

By including Greenland in this logic, however, Washington makes a double error. Firstly, it ignores that the island is politically European. Second, it disregards the heavy Danish investments in Arctic security. Recently, Copenhagen committed more than $4 billion to bolster defenses in the region.

Strategic partnership is not ownership

It is crucial to highlight that the United States already maintains a military presence in Greenland. Currently, fewer than 200 soldiers operate in the territory. There are, therefore, cooperation agreements in place that guarantee the US the use of strategic facilities.

However, for the Trump faction, this partnership seems insufficient. They crave total control. The Danish ambassador in Washington, Jesper Møller Sørensen, has already reiterated that his country expects “full respect for territorial integrity”. His speech reaffirms that the kingdom is a sovereign and indivisible entity.

The true price: people, culture and international law

In the end, this crisis transcends disputes over military bases. It puts the validity of International Law at stake. When a leader treats the sovereignty of others with disregard, he undermines the trust that sustains global peace.

Frederiksen and Nielsen’s steadfast resistance sends a powerful message. Smaller countries will not passively bow to disguised neocolonialism. Greenland is home to a population with its own identity and culture. Turning this land into a mere military asset hurts democracy and the plurality essential for a just world. The world is now watching whether the basic principle of respect between nations still prevails.