When repeatedly asked whether the United States would rule out using force to annex Greenland, Miller declined to do so, responding instead: “Nobody’s going to fight the US over the future of Greenland.” His remarks further alarmed European governments, which have sought to emphasise diplomacy and collective security over unilateral action.
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen welcomed the joint statement from the European leaders and called for calm engagement. “The dialogue must take place with respect for the fact that Greenland’s status is rooted in international law and the principle of territorial integrity,” Nielsen said. The seven European signatories echoed this view, stressing that Arctic security should be addressed cooperatively by Nato allies, including the United States, rather than through threats or coercion.
Trump has argued that incorporating Greenland into the United States would advance American security interests because of the island’s strategic Arctic location and its deposits of minerals considered critical to high-tech industries. However, recent moves by the Trump administration, including the appointment of a special envoy to Greenland, have angered Danish officials, who see such actions as undermining established diplomatic norms.
Greenland has a population of about 57,000 people and has exercised extensive self-government since 1979, although defence and foreign policy remain under Danish control. While many Greenlanders support eventual independence from Denmark, opinion polls consistently show overwhelming opposition to becoming part of the United States.
That sentiment was reflected in comments from residents on the island. Morgan Angaju, a 27-year-old Inuit living in Ilulissat in western Greenland, told BBC Newsbeat that it had been “terrifying to listen to the leader of the free world laughing at Denmark and Greenland and just talking about us like we’re something to claim.” He added: “We are already claimed by the Greenlandic people. Kalaallit Nunaat means the land of the Greenlandic people.” Angaju said he was deeply concerned about what might happen next, questioning whether Greenland’s prime minister could face the same fate as Maduro or whether the United States might even consider “invading our country.”
Europe Unites Behind Denmark After Trump Revives Greenland Annexation Threat
The joint response from European leaders highlights growing unease over the implications of recent US statements and actions, particularly in light of developments in Venezuela. While Greenland’s strategic importance and Arctic security remain central issues, European governments and Greenlandic leaders continue to emphasise that any decisions about the territory’s future must be made through lawful, collective, and respectful dialogue rather than threats or unilateral moves.
