Residents of Greenland have expressed profound frustration following reports that high-level discussions about their territory’s future occurred without their inclusion. This outcry emerged after U.S. President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte reportedly established a preliminary agreement concerning Greenland during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
In Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, locals voiced strong objections to being sidelined in diplomatic negotiations that directly impact their autonomous region. Niels Berthelsen, a 49-year-old maritime captain, articulated the prevailing sentiment: “If they want to make deals about Greenland, they have to invite Greenland to the negotiating table.” His statement, “Nothing about Greenland without Greenland,” has become a rallying cry for those feeling marginalized by international power dynamics.
While President Trump has retreated from earlier suggestions of forcibly acquiring Greenland, the vague nature of the purported agreement has stirred concerns among the territory’s 57,000 inhabitants. Greenland, which transitioned from Danish colonial status to autonomous governance in the late 20th century, maintains control over most domestic affairs while Denmark handles foreign and defense policies.
The historical context amplifies current tensions. Greenland’s colonial past included oppressive assimilation policies such as suppression of the Inuit language and forced sterilizations, creating lasting grievances. Deputy Prime Minister Mute Egede reinforced Greenland’s stance on self-determination, declaring on social media: “Whatever pressure others may exert, our country will neither be given away, nor will our future be gambled with.”
Elder residents like 80-year-old Arkalo Abelsen question the validity of the alleged agreement, suggesting President Trump may have misinterpreted diplomatic conversations. The ongoing uncertainty has disrupted the traditionally tranquil existence of Greenlanders, with many expressing nostalgia for more predictable times before recent geopolitical interest in their strategically significant territory.
Travel agency employee Susan Gudmundsdottir Johnsen echoed this desire for stability: “From now on, we need peace and quiet,” capturing the collective yearning for resolution that respects Greenland’s autonomy and includes its people in decisions determining their future.