Thousands Protest in Greenland Against Trump Takeover Threats

Thousands of Greenlanders marched through the capital city of Nuuk on Saturday in protest against President Donald Trump’s escalating threats to acquire the self-governing territory.

The demonstrators, carrying signs reading “Greenland is not for sale” and waving national flags, walked through rain and near-freezing temperatures from downtown to the U.S. Consulate. Trump announced Saturday morning on Truth Social that a 10 percent import tax on goods from eight European countries beginning in February, citing their opposition to U.S. control of Greenland. The tariff is set to increase to 25 percent by June and remain until a deal on Greenland is reached.

Meanwhile, protests also took place on Saturday in Denmark in which Greenland belongs to its kingdom.

Why It Matters

Warning of competition from China and Russia in the Arctic, Trump has maintained for months that the U.S. needs Greenland for national security, whether through monetary purchase or military force.

European leaders, echoing Denmark’s position, have deployed troops to Greenland in support of its autonomy, asserting the U.S. cannot assume control of the world’s largest island. The tariff policy has drawn criticism for potentially causing rifts between the U.S. and allied nations, and for leading to higher prices for Americans as companies pass costs to consumers.

What To Know

The protest represents one of Greenland’s largest demonstrations, drawing nearly a quarter of Nuuk’s population. Participants included Greenlanders of all ages who listened to traditional songs while demonstrating support for self-governance.

Trump’s tariff announcement targets Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland—all countries that have deployed forces to Greenland for joint military exercises with Danish forces and NATO partners.

Trump wrote on Truth Social that the U.S. has “subsidized Denmark, and all of the Countries of the European Union” for years, adding that “now, after Centuries, it is time for Denmark to give back—World Peace is at stake!” He described the European troop deployments as creating “a very dangerous situation” and claimed the tariffs are necessary to “protect Global Peace and Security.” Saturday’s protests extended beyond Greenland and Copenhagen, with solidarity rallies held in Canada’s Inuit-governed Nunavut territory.

Meanwhile, a bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation traveled to Copenhagen and Greenland to reassure officials that many in Congress do not support forced acquisition. The group, led by Democratic Senator Chris Coons of Delaware, Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, emphasized maintaining diplomatic ties and “lowering the temperature” of the debate.

What People Are Saying

President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social, in part: “We have subsidized Denmark, and all of the Countries of the European Union, and others, for many years by not charging them Tariffs, or any other forms of remuneration. Now, after Centuries, it is time for Denmark to give back — World Peace is at stake! China and Russia want Greenland, and there is not a thing that Denmark can do about it. They currently have two dogsleds as protection, one added recently. Only the United States of America, under PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP, can play in this game, and very successfully, at that! Nobody will touch this sacred piece of Land, especially since the National Security of the United States, and the World at large, is at stake. On top of everything else, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland have journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown.

Malik Dollerup-Scheibel, 21-year-old Greenlander, told the Associated Press: “I thought this day couldn’t get any worse but it just did. It just shows he has no remorse for any kind of human being now.”

Louise Lennert Olsen, Greenlandic nurse, told the AP: “I would really like [Americans] to support our wish to be Greenland as we are now. I hope they will stand against their own president. Because I can’t believe they just stand and watch and do nothing.”

Rasmus Jarlov, Chairman of Denmark’s Defense Committee, wrote on X: “Very grateful to talk to @SenThomTillis and nine other members of USA Congress who came to Copenhagen today. Thanks for coming. There is very little you cant access in Greenland if you just talk to us in Denmark and Greenland. The door is wide open.”

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said after a White House meeting on Thursday, per ABC News: “It’s clear that the president has this wish of conquering over Greenland…That outcome [is] totally unacceptable.”

Senator Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat, said this week, per the AP: “I hope that the people of the Kingdom of Denmark do not abandon their faith in the American people.”

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, former NATO Secretary-General and former Danish Prime Minister, recently told the Financial Times: “I am actually concerned that the world’s attention is now focused on something that does not represent a threat, neither to Europe nor to the United States—namely Greenland, a friendly ally of the United States—instead of focusing on what should be the focal point right now: namely, how can we force Putin to the negotiation table in Ukraine?”