Following a military operation in Venezuela, US President Donald Trump reignited controversy by again threatening to annex Greenland, an autonomous island that remains part of the Danish kingdom. This renewed push prompted a swift and forceful rebuke from Greenland's Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who condemned the US rhetoric as "completely and utterly unacceptable." Trump had stated the US needed Greenland "very badly" and renewed fears of a US invasion of the largely autonomous island.

In a bracingly direct statement and social media posts, Prime Minister Nielsen urged Trump to abandon his "fantasies about annexation," unequivocally declaring "Enough is enough." He stressed that "threats, pressure and talk of annexation have no place between friends," asserting that such language was inappropriate for a people who have consistently shown responsibility, stability, and loyalty. Nielsen emphasized that Greenland is "our home and our territory. And that is how it will remain," adding that any dialogue must occur through appropriate channels and in line with international law, not via "random and disrespectful posts on social media."

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen initially dismissed Trump's remarks, stating it made "absolutely no sense to talk about the US needing to take over Greenland" and that the US had "no right to annex any of the three countries in the Danish kingdom." However, facing a general election this year, Frederiksen is under increasing pressure to go beyond diplomacy and outline more concrete plans for how Denmark would respond if Greenland were to be invaded. The international community quickly rallied behind Denmark and Greenland, with the EU affirming its commitment to defending national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the inviolability of borders, particularly for its member states.

Adding to the international condemnation, UK Labour leader Keir Starmer publicly backed Frederiksen, stating, "I stand with her, and she’s right about the future of Greenland." He reiterated that "Greenland and the kingdom of Denmark are to decide the future of Greenland, and only Greenland and the kingdom of Denmark." Nordic neighbors Sweden, Norway, and Finland also expressed their full support for Denmark. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson specifically stated, "Only Denmark and Greenland have the right to decide on issues concerning Denmark and Greenland. Sweden fully supports our neighbouring country."

The context for these renewed fears includes the recent US bombardment of Venezuela to capture its president, Nicolás Maduro, and Trump's comments aboard Air Force One. Asked whether he expected to take action in Greenland, he refused to answer directly, mocking Danish defense efforts and asserting, "Right now, Greenland is full of Chinese and Russian ships everywhere. We need Greenland for national security reasons. Denmark will not be able to handle the task." Katie Miller, a right-wing podcaster married to Trump’s deputy chief of staff for policy, further stoked concerns by posting on X a map of Greenland draped in the stars and stripes with the caption: "SOON."

These developments occur against a backdrop of increasing tensions in the Arctic, where global superpowers – the US, China, and Russia – are vying for dominance over minerals and other geopolitical assets as the ice melts. Danish intelligence services had previously accused the US of using its economic power to "assert its will" and threatening military force against its allies. Aaja Chemnitz, a Greenlandic member of the Danish parliament, described Trump’s latest remarks as "the worst and most serious," signaling the emergence of a "new world order." While not believing an invasion was imminent, she urged Greenlanders to "prepare for the worst," emphasizing that "the future of Greenland is completely up to us. I understand that he [Trump] might be interested in having Greenland, but Greenland is not interested in being part of being part of US."