Denmark’s Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen dismissed speculation over a potential US seizure of Greenland, asserting that such a move was “unimaginable” between NATO allies, according to Politico.
His remarks follow renewed claims by US President Donald Trump about acquiring the strategically vital Arctic territory, alongside reports of escalated American espionage activities on the island.
We’re strong allies within NATO, and I will not be able to imagine that one NATO country could take a part of another NATO country. I don’t think that this is a serious discussion.
Speaking at the Copenhagen Democracy Summit, Poulsen stressed the “unbreakable” unity of the Kingdom of Denmark, which includes Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Greenland’s Deputy Premier Múte Bourup Egede echoed his sentiment, stating bluntly: “We are not a property.”
Greenland belongs to the Greenlandic people.
Egede criticised Trump’s rhetoric as counterproductive, noting it had driven Greenland closer to Denmark and the EU. The self-governing territory left the European Communities in 1985 but now seeks partnerships with Brussels on critical minerals.
We have 27 critical minerals out of the 35 the EU wants. But there’s been too much blah-blah-blah — we need action, we need growth in our country, and [if] either the EU or the US wants our critical materials, they need to talk with us.
The summit also spotlighted tensions over a Wall Street Journal report alleging Trump ordered US intelligence agencies to intensify surveillance of Greenland. While Poulsen declined to address the claims directly, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen condemned spying on allies as unacceptable.
Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen previously summoned the US ambassador to protest the alleged espionage.
Trump, who floated purchasing Greenland during his presidency, recently refused to rule out military action to claim the island. His comments reignited debate over Greenland’s geopolitical significance, rich in rare earth minerals and positioned as a gateway to Arctic resources.
