Kuupik Kleist, Greenland’s Prime Minister from 2009 to 2013, has warned that his people cannot remain passive in the face of US threats to take control of Greenland. Donald Trump’s recent comments about the potential use of military force or economic pressure to seize the territory have raised concerns about Greenland’s security.
Trump, who recently made a public statement regarding his interest in acquiring Greenland, emphasized the strategic importance of the island for both America's economic and national security interests. His remarks included a refusal to rule out the use of military force or economic coercion, signaling a potential shift in US foreign policy.
Kleist did not take these threats lightly, telling Express.co.uk: “I believe the threats Trump made, specifically his desire to take control of Greenland, Canada, and the Panama Canal, must be taken seriously.”
The former Prime Minister urged Greenlandic lawmakers not to soften their response to such threats, calling for a stronger, united stance against the possibility of US aggression. “NATO allies should be cooperating, not threatening each other,” Kleist stressed.
If he were still in power, Kleist stated that he would rally the Indigenous world to protest against what he views as a direct attack on Greenland’s sovereignty. He condemned Trump’s remarks, framing them as an assault on the island’s autonomy.
Trump’s continued interest in Greenland was first made public in 2019, when he suggested purchasing the island from Denmark and offering citizenship to its residents. However, Denmark quickly rejected this proposal, with Copenhagen firmly declaring it would never sell Greenland.
Rasmus Jarlov, a member of Denmark’s Conservative People's Party, reiterated this stance, saying, “There is no possibility of selling Greenland to the US. The people of Greenland do not want to be part of the United States.” Despite this, Jarlov acknowledged the growing pressure from the US, calling Trump’s refusal to rule out military intervention concerning. “Suddenly, our biggest worry is threats from the United States, which is both unfortunate and entirely unnecessary,” Jarlov lamented.
The Danish government is taking the situation seriously. In response to these new threats, Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen announced a significant increase in Denmark's defence spending, amounting to at least £1.2 billion. He pointed out the timing of the announcement, which coincidentally aligned with Trump’s comments, as an “ironic twist of fate.”
While Denmark maintains its position on Greenland’s independence, the growing tension surrounding US ambitions is reshaping the political landscape in both Greenland and Denmark.
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