Greenland's Prime Minister rejects US deal ambiguity, demands respect for sovereignty

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen has reiterated that sovereignty and territorial integrity are non-negotiable, following US President Donald Trump’s claim that a framework agreement involving Greenland had been reached.

Speaking at a press conference in Nuuk on Thursday, 22 January, Nielsen stated that neither he nor the Kingdom of Denmark had been consulted on the specifics of the alleged agreement.

“In terms of the deal, there’s been talk about, I don’t know what’s concrete in that deal,” Nielsen said. “But I know that we now have a high-level working group working on a solution for both parties”.

The announcement came after Trump and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte met on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Trump subsequently declared that a framework had been established for a potential deal involving Greenland, and suspended tariff threats on European nations opposing his stance.

Nielsen emphasised that no agreement concerning Greenland could be made without the involvement of its government and Denmark. “Nobody else but Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark have the mandate to make deals or agreements about Greenland. That’s not going to happen,” he said.

Throughout the press conference, Nielsen consistently pointed to Greenland’s red lines: sovereignty, national integrity, and adherence to international law. He stated that while Greenland is open to expanded economic and security cooperation, these must occur within existing frameworks, such as NATO and the longstanding defence agreement with the US.

“We are ready to negotiate a better partnership,” Nielsen said, “but sovereignty is a red line… we don’t want anyone to cross”.

Nielsen also addressed concerns about potential US interest in acquiring pockets of Greenland for strategic or mineral purposes. “We are willing to discuss anything in mutual respect,” he said, adding that “anyone who wants to explore our mineral resources must respect our legislation and very high environmental standards – because that’s part of our culture”.

Responding to suggestions of an expanded US military presence in Greenland, Nielsen said the country was open to discussions, but insisted they take place through “the right channels in a respectful manner”.

When asked whether he believed Trump’s statement that the US no longer seeks to “own” Greenland, Nielsen replied, “We have to believe what he says. What I want to believe in is the framework that made peace in the world for many, many years… respecting territorial integrity and international law”.

Nielsen described Greenlanders as a peaceful people who have been alarmed by the repeated rhetoric from Washington. “Imagine how it is, as Greenlanders – peaceful people – to hear and see in the media every day that someone wants to take your freedom. That will make the Greenlandic people think otherwise,” he said.

Still, he affirmed that Greenland remains committed to its alliances and is hopeful for improved relations. “The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States stood side by side for many years, also in tough times – and that’s what we need to bring back,” Nielsen said.

“This is actually about something much bigger,” he added. “It’s about the world order. The principle we have built the world on – the Western alliance that has kept the world safe for many years. That’s nothing to gamble on”.

Nielsen’s remarks come amid growing unease across Europe, with leaders meeting in emergency summits to assess the implications of Trump’s remarks and to reaffirm their commitment to strategic autonomy and a stable Arctic order.

As talks proceed within the Danish-Greenlandic-US working group, Nielsen made clear that only transparent and respectful diplomacy could pave the way forward.