President Donald Trump, warning that she will defend "every inch" of Greenland in case the United States tries to invade or take control of the island. Upon arriving at the NATO summit, Frederiksen reiterated that the territory is "not for sale" and that her government is willing to engage in a diplomatic clash with Washington to preserve the integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark.
The controversy has reignited following Trump's statements in which he resumed his expansionist threat, arguing that Denmark does not truly benefit Greenland and that the island is a strategic enclave surrounded by Russian and Chinese ships. "I have always thought that Greenland should be controlled by the United States, not by Denmark," stated the U.S. president, questioning Danish sovereignty over the region. Faced with this challenge to the European Union and the Atlantic Alliance itself, Frederiksen has described Trump's stance as "unfortunate" and demanded respect for the territorial integrity of her country.
"We are a sovereign state and we need everyone to respect our territorial integrity and our sovereignty," emphasized the Prime Minister, highlighting the right of the Greenlandic people to self-determination. In this tense scenario, Denmark has found explicit support from Iceland. Icelandic Prime Minister, Kristrún Frostadóttir, has expressed solidarity with Copenhagen, reminding that Greenland belongs to its people and that they do not wish to be part of the United States.
On the other hand, NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, has maintained a more ambiguous position by giving some support to Trump's concerns about China and Russia's access to the Arctic. Although Rutte has not questioned Danish sovereignty, he pointed out the importance of working together to prevent rival powers from gaining ground in the area, mentioning that there is a "good process underway" regarding Denmark and Greenland within the Alliance.