Greenland’s population is voicing strong opposition to recent discussions within the Trump administration regarding potential acquisition of the Arctic territory from Denmark. Mia Chemnitz, a 32-year-old business owner from Nuuk, encapsulated the prevailing sentiment: “The people of Greenland do not want to become American. We are not for sale.”
The White House has confirmed actively exploring options to purchase the strategically significant territory, with some officials even suggesting military intervention as a contingency. This rhetoric has generated widespread concern among Greenland’s 56,000 inhabitants, particularly following the unprecedented US military operation that extracted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from Caracas.
Aaja Chemnitz, one of Greenland’s two representatives in the Danish parliament, characterized the US position as “a clear threat” and expressed dismay at Washington’s failure to rule out annexation of a NATO ally. The situation has prompted six European nations to issue a collective statement affirming that Greenland’s future should be determined exclusively by its people.
Despite Greenland’s current status as a self-governing Danish territory with Copenhagen retaining control over foreign affairs and defense, residents emphasize their functioning democracy and strong governmental mandate. The population generally favors eventual independence from Denmark but unanimously rejects American ownership.
Strategic interests drive US attention toward Greenland, where the United States has maintained military installations since World War II. The territory’s position between North America and the Arctic provides critical early warning capabilities against missile threats. Additionally, melting ice due to climate change is increasing accessibility to Greenland’s substantial rare earth mineral deposits.
Greenland Business Association representative Christian Keldsen noted that while the territory welcomes economic cooperation with the United States—evidenced by new direct flights to New York—the current political rhetoric is damaging bilateral relations and creating unnecessary anxiety among ordinarily welcoming residents.
Experts caution that any forced takeover of Greenland, while militarily feasible, would catastrophicly destabilize NATO alliances and international diplomatic relations.