The notion that the United States could acquire Greenland has been met with disbelief and concern by the people who actually live there, following repeated assertions from officials in Donald Trump's administration.
'Crazy nonsense': Dismissing the Russian ship claims
Visiting the vast, autonomous Danish territory reveals the stark reality behind the rhetoric. Trump has claimed Greenland's waters are "infested" with Russian and Chinese ships, a statement members of the local ruling coalition forcefully reject. One MP labelled the idea "crazy nonsense", pointing to a complete absence of evidence for such an armada.
However, the lack of proof does little to soothe anxieties. Greenland MP Nivi Rosing expressed a personal fear that such claims could be used as a pretext for a takeover. "I'm personally afraid that he has to have a reason to take over our country by saying, oh, they have Russian and Chinese ships in their waters, which we don't have," she stated.
A strategic ruse or a genuine threat?
Some commentators, like former UK ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson, suggest the threats are not literal but a strategic ploy. Writing in The Spectator, he argued that Trump's aim is to sharpen European focus on Arctic security threats from Russia and China, thereby legitimising a "considerably beefed-up role and status and military deployment by America" in the region.
For Greenlanders, this analysis offers little comfort. If the goal is simply improved security, they argue, the method of issuing predatory threats from the US presidency is a strange way to achieve it. The reality is that under a 1951 treaty with Denmark, the US already has significant rights, including the ability to reopen its old Second World War bases without needing an invasion or annexation.
Deep-seated resentment and valued ties
The situation has stirred deep offence, particularly among Danish veterans who served alongside American forces. Klaus Iversen, who served with the Danish military in Greenland, highlighted the sacrifice of colleagues in Afghanistan and Iraq. "I feel offended, I feel sad," he said, reacting to implied suggestions that Denmark is not pulling its weight on security.
While there is historical resentment in Greenland over Danish management of mineral wealth and infrastructure investment, the connection to Europe is highly valued. The benefits include:
- Free education and healthcare
- Strong cultural ties
- Approximately $500 million (£370m) in annual financial aid from Denmark
Recent polls and the 2025 election indicate no appetite to exchange this for an uncertain future under US control. Despite this, Trump officials have expressed confidence that the US will acquire Greenland "one way or another" by the end of his term. As the people of Greenland and Denmark watch these developments, many believe those officials should have tried talking to the territory's inhabitants first.
