Greenland leader vows not to bow to US pressure

Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the Danish territory would not be pressured by US threats, including the White House’s announcement that it plans to impose tariffs on countries that station troops on the island.

“Greenland is a democratic society with the right to make its own decisions,” Nielsen wrote on Facebook.

“The latest statements of the USA, including tariff threats, do not change this line. We will not allow ourselves to be pressured. We are determined in dialogue, respect and international law.”

Nielsen also expressed gratitude to the thousands of people who demonstrated in support of Greenland on Saturday, both in Denmark and in the Arctic region.

“The demonstrations here, at home and in Denmark showed that we are a strong and honorable union. Many people peacefully expressed their love for our country and respect for our democracy. I am very grateful for that,” he said.

He also emphasized the importance of the meeting to be held in Brussels on Monday between Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

According to Nielsen, the meeting shows Denmark taking “responsibility” and underlines that “the security dialogue in the Arctic takes place with us, respecting our role and our country.”

US President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on eight European countries that announced on Saturday that they would send troops to Greenland.

These countries, in addition to Denmark, are Germany, Finland, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Trump added that the measures will remain in effect until an agreement is reached to fully purchase Greenland by the United States.

On Monday, Danish broadcaster TV2 reported that Denmark would send more combat troops to Greenland, citing information from the Ministry of Defense.

The publisher said it was reported to be a “significant contribution”, although the exact number was not known.

TV2 said the new troops would arrive in Kangerlussuaq, 300 kilometers north of the island’s capital, Nuuk, on Monday.

The report stated that Army Commander Major General Peter Boysen will also accompany the deployment.

Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen called on NATO to do more in the Arctic on Monday, announcing that he and Motzfeldt intended to discuss the issue with Rutte.

Lund Poulsen said in a statement that there was “broad support” for the idea that “NATO should do more in the Arctic” after Denmark and Greenland, along with some of their allies, decided to increase their military presence in the region.

Motzfeldt added: “Greenland finds itself faced with an unusual situation that has attracted the attention of the whole world. This situation requires us to strengthen cooperation within NATO on defense and security issues in the Arctic.”

The Norwegian government confirmed on Monday that Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre had received a message from Trump about Greenland.

Part of the message read: “Considering that your country has decided not to award me the Nobel Peace Prize for stopping 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel obligated to think only of Peace, although it has always been dominant, but I can now think of what is good and proper for the United States.”

He concluded: “The Earth is not safe unless we have Complete and Total Control over Greenland.”

The Norwegian leader said Trump’s message was a response to an earlier letter sent on behalf of him and Finnish President Alexander Stubb in which they expressed their opposition to the tariff announcement, pointed out the need to reduce tensions and suggested a phone call between the three leaders.

He told TV2 Norway that he had not responded to the message but “I still believe it is wise to talk” and said he hoped to speak with Trump at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended Trump’s approach in Greenland in his statements to journalists in Davos.

“I think it’s a total fraud for the president to do this because of the Nobel,” Bessent said.

Bessent emphasized that Trump “views Greenland as a strategic asset for the United States” and added that “we will not cede our hemispheric security to anyone else.”

With Reuters, AP and EFE