Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is in Greenland for a three-day visit aimed at strengthening ties with the island’s leaders. Her trip comes at a time when the Arctic territory is at the center of international attention, with US President Donald Trump’s administration pushing for control over the resource-rich island.
Frederiksen's visit is seen as crucial in calming tensions between Denmark, Greenland, and the United States. The Danish leader plans to meet with Jens-Frederik Nielsen, Greenland's newly elected prime minister, and his team. Nielsen has been clear about Greenland’s future, stating that the island will not become part of the US despite Trump’s previous comments about "getting Greenland."
Greenland, which has a population of about 57,000, remains a semi-autonomous territory under Denmark, but it is no stranger to discussions of independence. Over the years, many Greenlandic leaders have advocated for the island to move toward full independence.
Nielsen has taken a firm stance, responding directly to Trump’s claims. “We don’t belong to anyone else. We decide our own future,” Nielsen posted on Facebook, reaffirming Greenland's right to self-determination. His comments came after Trump’s remark that the U.S. would "100 percent" gain control over Greenland.
The tensions reached new heights last week when Trump’s deputy, JD Vance, visited a US military base on Greenland’s vast Arctic lands. The visit sparked diplomatic backlash from Denmark, which criticized Vance’s tone, especially his comment that Denmark "has not done a good job by the people of Greenland."
Frederiksen’s mission is clear: to reassure Greenlandic officials that Denmark remains a reliable partner and to foster trust with Nielsen’s incoming government. During her visit, she’ll also seek to discuss the future of the island, which has been seeking greater autonomy. While all major Greenlandic political parties support eventual independence, there’s disagreement on the path forward.
With the newly formed coalition government in place, Greenland is expected to stand firm in its determination to chart its own course. The coalition was quickly formed after American pressure, though the party advocating for rapid independence, Naleraq, chose not to join.
As the Arctic region’s strategic importance continues to grow, Greenland’s future remains uncertain, but for now, one thing is clear: Greenland is determined to remain in control of its destiny, despite external pressures.
