Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is set to visit Greenland for three days starting Wednesday, aiming to strengthen trust and collaboration with Greenlandic officials amid growing tensions over Arctic control. This visit comes shortly after U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s trip to a U.S. airbase in Greenland, where he criticized Denmark for underinvesting in the territory.
Greenland, rich in minerals and strategically vital, has gained attention due to climate change making it more accessible. Although geographically part of North America, it remains a semiautonomous territory under the Kingdom of Denmark.
During her visit, Frederiksen plans to meet with Greenland’s incoming leader, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, and members of the new Cabinet, the Naalakkersuisut. Frederiksen praised the resilience of Greenlandic leaders, saying, “It has my deepest respect how the Greenlandic people and the Greenlandic politicians handle the great pressure that is on Greenland.”
Key discussions will focus on enhancing cooperation between Denmark and Greenland. Nielsen has openly rejected any U.S. attempts to annex Greenland, emphasizing that the island’s future should be determined by its people. “We must respond with peace, dignity, and unity. Greenland is ours,” he stated on social media.
Greenland, with a population of around 57,000, has long pursued greater independence from Denmark. The Trump administration’s past proposals to assert control over Greenland, including potential military measures, have caused significant backlash in both Greenland and Denmark.
The new Greenlandic government favors a gradual approach to independence, distancing itself from the Naleraq party, which supports a swift path to autonomy and has been sympathetic to U.S. interests. Experts suggest that Trump’s aggressive stance may have alienated many Greenlanders, pushing them closer to Denmark instead.
