Long-term residents of Greenland have reacted with fury and dismay after former US President Donald Trump once again floated the possibility of the United States taking control of the vast Arctic island. Trump revived the controversial topic on Sunday, just one day after a dramatic US operation in Venezuela.
Local Outrage Over 'Disrespectful' Remarks
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump emphasised the territory's strategic value, stating, 'It's so strategic. We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it.' This rhetoric has been met with anger by those who call Greenland home.
Jørgen Bay-Kastrup, the CEO of the four-star Hotel Hans Egede in Nuuk, Greenland's capital, described Trump's treatment of Greenlanders as 'disgraceful' and 'disgusting.' Bay-Kastrup, a Danish national who has lived in Greenland for 11 years, accused Trump of speaking about the population 'as if we are just some kind of tool,' calling it deeply disrespectful.
Another business owner, Klaus Iverson, a Danish military veteran who runs the 32-room Hotel Aurora Nuuk with his wife, labelled Trump's repeated demands 'offensive' and 'bizarre.' Having lived in Greenland for 17 years, Iverson expressed fear, noting, 'We have seen what President Trump - I wouldn't call him President Trump, just Trump - [is] capable of.' He highlighted his past service alongside American troops, making the current approach feel like a betrayal.
Proposals and Political Backlash
The anger intensified following a Reuters report suggesting the Trump administration might offer Greenlanders payments between $10,000 and $100,000 to agree to join the US. Bay-Kastrup condemned this idea as 'another kind of slavery,' arguing that buying votes undermines democracy. Both he and Iverson pointed out that the US already operates the Pituffik Space Base on the island without hindrance, a key asset for missile defence.
Politicians have been swift to respond. Greenland's Prime Minister, Jens Frederik Nielsen, demanded an end to the pressure, stating, 'No more fantasies of annexation.' He affirmed openness to dialogue but insisted it must follow proper channels and respect international law. Denmark's Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, was equally firm, declaring 'the US has no right to annex any of the three nations in the Danish kingdom.'
Public sentiment appears firmly against the move. A January 2025 survey by pollster Verian found only six percent of Greenlanders support becoming part of the US. Opposition is also strong in America, with an April 2025 Pew Research poll showing 54 percent of US adults opposed to the idea.
The Path Forward and Underlying Tensions
While Greenland is a self-governing territory, Denmark handles its foreign policy and defence. Therefore, any annexation would require negotiation with Copenhagen and likely a referendum in Greenland. Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed on Thursday that the administration's goal is ultimately to purchase Greenland, not seize it militarily, and that he plans to meet Danish officials to discuss the future.
However, tensions remain high. This follows White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller's refusal to rule out military escalation when questioned. The situation has already spurred public protests, including a March 2025 demonstration in Nuuk where around 1,000 Greenlanders gathered to voice their opposition to what they see as a colonial land grab by the United States.
