Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen firmly dismissed the notion that the autonomous Danish territory could be purchased by the United States, calling recent U.S. rhetoric "disrespectful" and reaffirming Greenland’s sovereignty.
Speaking alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen on Sunday, Nielsen emphasized that Greenland is "not a piece of property that can be bought by anyone." His remarks were a direct response to repeated statements by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has expressed interest in acquiring the strategically significant Arctic island.
"We will never, ever be a piece of property that can be bought by anyone, and that’s the message I think is most important to understand," said Nielsen, who took office in April. He stressed the need for Greenland and Denmark to strengthen their partnership in light of shifting geopolitical dynamics.
The joint appearance by Nielsen and Frederiksen was seen as a display of solidarity between Greenland and Denmark, which oversees the island’s foreign and defense policies. The visit also carried symbolic weight, as Denmark’s King Frederik X is set to travel to Greenland with Nielsen on Monday for a four-day royal tour.
Trump has repeatedly suggested that the U.S. should take control of Greenland, citing national security interests and the island’s vast mineral resources. In March, he told Congress that securing Greenland was essential for "national security and international security." While he has floated the idea of purchasing the territory, U.S. Vice President JD Vance recently stated that military force would not be considered.
Despite their criticism of Trump’s remarks, both Nielsen and Frederiksen expressed willingness to engage in diplomatic talks with the U.S. leader. "We are ready for a strong partnership and more development, but we want respect," Nielsen said.
Frederiksen, who visited Greenland earlier this month, had previously rebuffed Trump’s ambitions, stating, "You can’t annex other countries." Her comments followed Vance’s controversial trip to the island, where he reiterated Trump’s interest and criticized Denmark’s governance—a claim that drew sharp backlash in both Greenland and Denmark.
Greenland, the world’s largest island, has been under Danish rule for three centuries but governs its own domestic affairs. While polls indicate most Greenlanders favor eventual independence from Denmark, there is no desire to join the U.S.
Nielsen’s center-right Democrats, leading Greenland’s new coalition government, advocate for a gradual move toward independence. His visit to Denmark aimed to reinforce ties between Nuuk and Copenhagen, with Frederiksen affirming Denmark’s commitment to investing in Greenland’s future.
As geopolitical interest in the Arctic grows, Greenland’s vast reserves of rare earth minerals and strategic location continue to draw international attention—making its sovereignty a focal point of global diplomacy.