(The Hill) — Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen shot back at President Donald Trump’s renewed threats to take over the self-governing, resource-rich territory, which is part of Denmark, a day after U.S. forces ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from power.
The prime minister touted the long-standing alliance between America and Greenland, saying in a post on Facebook, “We have been the USA’s close and loyal friend for generations,” and adding, “That is why the current and recent rhetoric from the US is completely unacceptable.”
“When the US president says that ‘we need Greenland’ and links us to Venezuela and military intervention, it is not just wrong. It’s disrespectful,” Nielsen continued.
Nielsen acknowledged “our country’s strategic location and stressed the importance of “a respectful and loyal relationship with the United States.”
“But alliances are built on trust. And trust requires respect,” he continued. “Threats, pressure and talk of annexation have no place between friends. That is not how you speak to a people who have shown responsibility, stability and loyalty time and again.
“Enough is enough. No more pressure. No more innuendo. No more fantasies of annexation,” the prime minister added.
Trump has frequently toyed with the possibility of taking over Greenland, noting its usefulness for U.S. security interests. But those threats took on a greater weight this weekend, after the Trump administration carried out a stunning military operation, capturing Maduro and his wife and bringing them to New York to face charges.
Amid questions about which country could face a similar fate, Trump told reporters Sunday about Greenland: “It’s so strategic right now. Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place.”
“We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not going to be able to do it,” the president said.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also fiercely defended Greenland against threats from the U.S., saying in a statement: “It makes absolutely no sense to speak of any necessity for the United States to take over Greenland. The United States has no legal basis to annex one of the three countries of the Kingdom of Denmark.”
Frederiksen noted Greenland, by virtue of being part of Denmark, is part of the NATO alliance and pointed to Denmark’s agreement granting the U.S. broad access to Greenland.
“I therefore strongly urge the United States to cease its threats against a historically close ally, and against another country and another people who have stated very clearly that they are not for sale,” Frederiksen said.