Greenland has issued a defiant and unequivocal rejection of former US President Donald Trump's renewed assertions that he "needs" to acquire the vast Arctic territory, warning he could take it "the easy way or the hard way".
A Clear Message of Self-Determination
In a powerful joint statement on Friday, 10th January 2026, Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and the island's political leaders delivered a stark, seven-word rebuke to Trump's escalating rhetoric. Their message was clear: "We don't want to be Americans, we don't want to be Danes, we want to be Greenlanders."
This intervention came directly after Trump ramped up his claims, stating he was "going to do something on Greenland, whether they like it or not," and insisting the semi-autonomous Danish territory was a critical US "national security priority." Prime Minister Nielsen pushed back forcefully, declaring that "Greenland's future must be decided by the Greenlandic people."
Escalating Tensions and International Alarm
Trump has repeatedly justified his desire for Greenland by claiming it is necessary to prevent rival powers like Russia or China from stepping in. He stated, "if we don't do it, Russia or China will take over Greenland – and we're not going to have Russia or China as a neighbour." He doubled down, saying he preferred to "make a deal the easy way" but was prepared to do it "the hard way."
The situation has sparked significant alarm across Europe. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that any US military move on Greenland would mean the "end of the Nato alliance," a remark that prompted Trump to retort, "If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have a Nato right now."
European leaders have rallied behind Denmark and Greenland, with France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Britain all voicing support. Domestically, Danish MPs have suggested welcoming allied troops to deter invasion, with left-wing leader Pelle Dragsted warning, "We must make it clear that it would be an armed conflict." Denmark has also confirmed its military doctrine would require troops to open fire immediately without orders in the event of an invasion.
Financial Incentives and Overwhelming Opposition
Reports have emerged that Trump's team discussed offering Greenlanders huge cash incentives to back independence, with lump sums of between $10,000 and $100,000 per person floated. Such a move could cost Washington around $5.7 billion to win over the island's 57,000 residents.
Despite these overtures, polls show overwhelming opposition to Trump's ambitions. Around 85% of Greenlanders have rejected becoming part of the US, while only 7% of Americans support the idea of a military takeover. While the US maintains over 100 personnel at its Pituffik base in Greenland, the island's message remains crystal clear: its future is not for sale or seizure.
While US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has played down invasion fears and spoken of seeking a "peaceful" solution, Trump has refused to rule out military action. Nevertheless, Greenland's leadership stands firm. As Prime Minister Nielsen concluded, "We must decide our country's future ourselves – without pressure... and without interference from other countries."
