Trump threatens military force to seize Greenland, locals reject US control
US President Donald Trump on Friday repeated threats to take control of Greenland, saying Washington will 'do something' with the mineral-rich Danish territory 'whether they like it or not' and refusing to rule out military action. Trump claims controlling the island is crucial for US national security against Russian and Chinese Arctic activity, though neither country has laid claim to Greenland.
Greenland's political parties united to reject any foreign takeover. 'We don't want to be Americans, we don't want to be Danish, we want to be Greenlanders,' leaders of all five parliamentary parties said in a joint statement Friday. Julius Nielsen, a 48-year-old fisherman in Nuuk, echoed the sentiment: 'American, no! We were a colony for so many years. We're not ready to be a colony again.'
The crisis has triggered frantic European diplomacy. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that any invasion would end NATO and the post-WWII security structure. Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets Denmark's foreign minister and Greenland representatives next week. Trump offered to buy Greenland in 2019 during his first term but was rebuffed.
Greenland, a Danish colony until 1953, gained home rule in 1979 and is considering independence. While opposition party Naleraq wants quick independence, the governing coalition favors a gradual approach. Most locals AFP interviewed support independence but want to wait.
NATO's European forces commander, US General Alexus Grynkewich, said the alliance is not in crisis despite Trump's threats. Will US pressure push Greenland toward independence faster, or force Europe to strengthen its Arctic defense posture?