The Minister for Business in Greenland has issued a stark warning, stating that the island's population feels profoundly betrayed by the United States and is living in a state of anxiety due to threats of invasion from former President Donald Trump.
A Plea for Peace Amid Rising Tensions
Naaja Nathanielsen addressed reporters in Parliament on 13 January 2026, revealing that discussions have been held with international allies about a potential response should the US make a move on the Danish territory. She emphasised a desperate desire for a peaceful resolution to the escalating rhetoric.
"We want a peaceful solution. We will work towards that for as long as we can," Ms Nathanielsen stated. "We see no point in using weapons against each other. We should be friends. We are allies."
NATO's Role and the Impact on Greenlanders
When questioned on whether Greenland could expect support from NATO in the event of an attack by the US, a fellow member of the alliance, the minister gave a nuanced response. She argued that such an act would constitute an attack on the entire alliance itself.
She painted a vivid picture of the distress caused by Trump's statements, which have intensified over the past fortnight. "People are not sleeping, children are afraid, and it just fills everything these days," she said. "And we can't really understand it."
Ms Nathanielsen expressed gratitude for the firm support shown by nations including the UK, France, and Germany. She also indicated she would welcome more NATO troops on the island, but as a defence against Russian and Chinese threats, not American ones.
High-Stakes Talks and Underlying Motives
The diplomatic crisis is set to move to the highest level, with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio scheduled to meet the foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland at the White House on Wednesday.
This follows President Trump's public claims that he needs to "take Greenland" for national security reasons, to prevent Russia or China from doing so. Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has repeatedly stated the island is not for sale and does not wish to be owned by the US.
Asked if Trump's real interest lay in Greenland's vast natural resources, Minister Nathanielsen suggested multiple narratives could be at play. "We feel betrayed," she concluded. "We feel that the rhetoric is offensive... but also bewildering because we have done nothing but support the notion that freedom is a part of the American national establishment."
