Danish Prime Minister Promises Support for Greenland in Response to US Intervention in Dispute.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen visited the capital of Greenland, Nuuk, on Wednesday (April 2), emphasizing Denmark’s continued support for Greenland’s development and autonomy in response to recent criticisms of Danish governance by Vice President JD Vance of the United States.

Vance had just visited a U.S. military base in northern Greenland at the end of March. During his visit, Vance accused the Copenhagen government of failing to properly protect the Greenlandic people, sparking dissatisfaction and backlash from Danish and Greenlandic authorities.

“The United States will not take over Greenland, the island belongs to the Greenlandic people,” Frederiksen emphasized at a press conference upon her arrival, promising to ensure that Greenland and Danish people have equal rights within the kingdom.

She pointed out that the primary task at hand is to engage in in-depth discussions with the Greenlandic side on diplomatic, security policies, and geopolitical issues, seeking common strategies to address them, “as this is currently the most critical issue.”

The visit is expected to last until April 4. During the visit, Frederiksen will meet with the newly appointed Greenlandic leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen and the new autonomous government (Naalakkersuisut). The new coalition government is expected to officially take office on April 7.

In a statement before the visit, she expressed, “I look forward to maintaining close and mutually trusting cooperation with Nielsen and the new government team. Greenland has just completed a good democratic election and successfully formed a broad coalition government.”

“I am deeply impressed by the maturity and determination shown by the Greenlandic people and political leaders under immense pressure.”

Nielsen also welcomed the Prime Minister’s visit on Monday (March 31), emphasizing that Denmark remains Greenland’s “closest partner”. Both sides will engage in deep discussions on future cooperation.

Greenland, a vast island about three times the size of Texas, located in the Arctic, rich in mineral resources, and of strategic importance. Despite its geographical location in North America, Greenland is still part of the Kingdom of Denmark and enjoys a high degree of autonomy.

Greenland has a population of about 57,000 and has long sought independence from Denmark, with many feeling they have been treated unfairly under Danish rule in the past.

However, President Trump has publicly expressed interest in “acquiring” Greenland multiple times, even hinting at not ruling out military action, sparking widespread attention in Greenlandic and Danish societies.

In a recent interview with Reuters, Nielsen stated that the new government would slow down the independence process and push for sovereign status only after thorough preparations. Until then, Greenland will deepen cooperation with Copenhagen.

He also emphasized that Greenland hopes to establish a relationship of mutual respect with the United States. “Talking about annexing or acquiring Greenland while ignoring our sovereignty is disrespectful. We should start with respecting each other and building a good partnership,” he said.

In Greenland’s political scene, the party most supportive of Trump is the Naleraq party, advocating for a rapid push for Greenlandic independence. However, they did not enter the ruling coalition during the recent government formation.

Peter Viggo Jakobsen, Associate Professor at the Danish National Defence College, suggested that strong American intervention may backfire, leading the moderate faction in Greenland to lean more towards cooperation with Copenhagen.

“Trump has deterred most Greenlanders from deepening ties with the United States because of their lack of trust in him,” he said.

During the March 28 visit to the U.S. military base, Vice President Vance criticized Denmark for not effectively protecting Greenland and claimed that the United States could better ensure the island’s security.

In response, Frederiksen stated that the future of Greenland should be decided by the local people themselves and believed Vance’s remarks were “unfair”.

Opinion polls show that a majority of Greenlanders support future independence from Denmark, but many are concerned that rushing could worsen Greenland’s situation. Additionally, more people oppose joining the United States.