Greenland responds to Trump: Sovereignty is not for sale, and there is European solidarity
In a decisive and direct response to US President Donald Trump's repeated statements regarding the United States' desire to control Greenland, officials on the island affirmed that crucial decisions concerning the territory's future will be made only on its soil and by the will of its people. This stance effectively blocks American ambitions that view the island as a strategic asset to be acquired.
Clear message: We are not just a security note
In a strongly worded Facebook post, Jens Fredrik Nielsen wrote, "Greenland is our country. Our decisions are made here." Nielsen expressed his deep sadness and outrage at the reduction of an entire people's history, culture, and identity to a mere security equation or real estate deal. He pointed out that Trump's repeated desire to control the island reflects a flawed understanding of the nature of relations between nations and peoples in the 21st century. He added that the American perspective, which equates Greenland's value with "security and power," is incompatible with the island's inhabitants' self-perception as a sovereign people with an independent identity.
Strategic importance: Why does Trump want Greenland?
To understand the US president's determination, one must consider Greenland's unique geostrategic location. Situated between North America, Europe, and Russia, the island is a vital gateway to the Arctic. As the ice melts due to climate change, new shipping lanes are emerging that could reshape global trade and facilitate access to vast natural resources.
Greenland contains vast reserves of rare earth elements, minerals vital to advanced technology industries, batteries, and defense systems—areas in which the United States is seeking to reduce its reliance on China. The island also hosts Thule Air Base, the northernmost U.S. military base, which plays a pivotal role in ballistic missile early warning and space surveillance.
Historical background: This is not the first attempt
Historically, Washington's interest in purchasing Greenland is not unprecedented; the United States has attempted to buy the island several times in the past. The most notable of these attempts was in 1946, when US President Harry Truman offered Denmark $100 million in gold for the island, an offer that was rejected. Prior to that, in 1867, the US State Department also explored the idea of purchasing it. However, the crucial difference today lies in Greenland's legal status. In 2009, it gained extensive autonomy from Denmark, granting its people the exclusive right to self-determination.
Broad European and international solidarity
Greenland was not alone in this diplomatic standoff; Nielsen expressed his gratitude for the "calm and dignified" public response and the significant international support the island received. In this context, French President Emmanuel Macron weighed in on the crisis, affirming that Greenland "belongs to its people" and that Denmark is the guarantor of its sovereignty.
Macron wrote on the X platform, expressing the unified European position: "I join my voice with those of Europeans to express our complete solidarity." This support reflects a clear message that the era of buying and selling territories and peoples is over, and that international relations must be built on mutual respect and strategic alliances rather than attempts at outright acquisition.
