BEIJING — China has issued a sharp diplomatic rebuke to United States interests in Greenland, asserting that Washington should not employ other nations as justification for pursuing its geopolitical objectives in the strategically vital Arctic region.
The diplomatic friction emerges amid heightened tensions following U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed expressions of interest in acquiring Greenland—a semi-autonomous territory under Danish sovereignty and NATO ally. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated unequivocally that “China’s activities in the Arctic are conducted in strict compliance with international law and are dedicated to fostering regional peace, stability, and sustainable development.”
Mao emphasized that “the rights and freedoms of all nations to lawfully conduct Arctic operations warrant full respect,” while cautioning against the U.S. “using other countries as pretexts to advance its own interests.” The spokesperson further characterized the Arctic as concerning “the overall interests of the international community,” reflecting China’s broader regional ambitions.
The controversy stems from President Trump’s repeated assertions that acquiring Greenland represents a strategic imperative to prevent Russian or Chinese dominance. During recent comments aboard Air Force One, Trump declared his preference for a negotiated settlement while maintaining that “one way or another, we’re going to have Greenland.”
This stance has triggered significant diplomatic backlash. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that American acquisition could effectively signal “the end of NATO,” while Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen joined parliamentary leaders in issuing a joint statement affirming that the territory’s future “must be determined by its people.” The statement explicitly expressed their “desire for an end to the United States’ contempt for our country.”
The geopolitical confrontation occurs against the backdrop of China’s declared status as a “near-Arctic state” since 2018 and its ambitious “Polar Silk Road” initiative—an Arctic extension of its global Belt and Road infrastructure program. As diplomatic envoys from Denmark and Greenland prepare for Washington negotiations, and U.S. senators arrange visits to Denmark, the Arctic emerges as a new theater for great power competition with far-reaching implications for international relations and regional governance.