Political parties in Greenland dismiss Trump’s control demands over Arctic territory

Nuuk (Brussels Morning Newspaper) January 10, 2026 – Greenland’s five main political parties issued a joint statement rejecting President Donald Trump’s renewed claims that the United States could take control of the autonomous Danish territory. The leaders declared that only Greenlanders can determine the island’s future, emphasising their desire to remain Greenlanders rather than Americans or Danes. The unified response followed Trump’s January 7 assertion that the US would pursue acquisition through any means necessary, prompting parliament to convene emergency discussions.

Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen signed the declaration alongside opposition leaders, marking rare cross-party consensus on sovereignty matters. The statement called for an end to US disregard for Greenlandic self-determination rights established under the 2009 Self-Government Act. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen supported the position while warning of NATO alliance consequences from unilateral actions.

Five parties issue unified sovereignty declaration 

Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, Naleraq leader Pele Broberg, Siumut’s Múte B. Egede, Demokraatit’s Aleqa Hammond, and Atassut’s Aqqalu C. Jerimiassen endorsed Friday’s joint communiqué. Leaders stated “We do not wish to be Americans, nor do we want to be Danes; we aspire to be Greenlanders” asserting exclusive authority over territorial destiny. The Inatsisartut parliament advanced scheduled sessions addressing perceived external threats from Washington.

Parties representing 98% combined 2021 vote share demonstrated consensus transcending ideological independence-gradualism divides. Statement positioned future trajectory determination within international law frameworks excluding foreign interference pressures.

Clash Report highlighted unified rejection. Clash Report said in X post,

“NEW: Greenland’s five main political parties rejected renewed claims by Trump that the US could take control of Greenland, saying only Greenlanders can decide the island’s future. They stressed they want to be Greenlanders, not Americans or Danes.Source: AFP”

https://x.com/clashreport/status/2009916000334958791lone 

Ruling coalition rejects expedited independence pathways

Siumut-Demokraatit coalition governing since 2021 prioritises Danish Realm economic integration maintaining DKK 3.9 billion annual block grant funding 60% expenditures. Prime Minister Nielsen confirmed no formal US diplomatic approaches received since 2019 overture rejection characterized the offensive. Coalition secured 37% combined parliamentary representation advocating measured self-rule expansion.

Nielsen coordinated January 8 Washington trilateral consultations involving Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen confirming defence cooperation continuity unaffected rhetoric. Pituffik Space Base operations persist under 2021 bilateral renewal housing 160 US personnel missile warning functions.

Naleraq secured 24.5% 2025 legislative vote share, holding the largest opposition bloc advocating swift Danish separation. Leader Pele Broberg endorsed a joint statement while maintaining Section 21 Self-Government Act provisions permit Greenland-initiated foreign agreements Danish notification. Party platform identifies rare earth reserves comprising 25% global deposits strategic negotiation leverage.

Broberg referenced 85% public opposition recorded 2019 polls following initial Trump comments positioning non-violent self-determination pathways.

Danish government reinforces realm membership protections

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen characterised unilateral acquisition attempts of NATO alliance-ending scenarios during the Copenhagen briefing. Danish Realm constitutional structure grants Greenland internal legislative autonomy while reserving foreign defence policy Copenhagen authority. Frederiksen convened EU foreign ministers addressing Arctic security implications Russian Kola Peninsula exercises 200 miles distant.

Foreign Ministry confirmed next week’s follow-up consultations prioritising bilateral defence treaty integrity unaffected public discourse. Former governing party Inuit Ataqatigiit leader Múte Egede predecessor Sara Olsvig signed a declaration despite 2018-2021 independence referendum advocacy abandoning fiscal constraints. Party represents 20.3% 2021 electorate prioritising Kalaallisut language revitalisation 28 immersion schools educating 4,200 students annually. Olsvig emphasised 85% Greenlandic household primary language preservation cultural sovereignty markers.

Inatsisartut representation includes six seats advocating Danish fiscal transfer reductions DKK 3.9 billion annual baseline.

Atassut emphasises strategic partnership opportunities

Conservative Atassut leader Aqqalu C. Jerimiassen identified US economic collaborations enhancing Kvanefjeld rare earth beneficiation creating 2,500 direct employment. Party maintains Danish Realm welfare framework 60% Copenhagen-funded supporting DKK 380,000 per capita income averages. Jerimiassen referenced Tanbreez Mining 50-year licence processing 28 million tonnes ore reserves.

Atassut secured 12% vote share holding four parliamentary seats balancing economic pragmatism and sovereignty assertions.

Trump reiterates strategic acquisition imperative claims

President Trump stated in the January 7 White House briefing “We are going to take action regarding Greenland, whether they are in favor or against it” citing Russian Nagurskoye Air Base Chinese rare earth investments. White House confirmed military options consideration range lacking implementation timelines. Senator Rand Paul pledged opposition military takeover scenarios CBS Mornings interview.

Pentagon maintained Pituffik Space Base missile warning operations 99.8% ICBM detection tracking 28 simultaneous launches with hemispheric coverage.

Lone wolf referenced party declarations. Lone wolf said in X post,

“”We don’t want to be Americans”: Greenlandic parties respond to Trump, — AFP. Greenland’s five main parties rejected Trump’s claims about possible US control of the island.”We don’t want to be Americans, we don’t want to be Danish—we want to be Greenlanders.””

“We don’t want to be Americans”: Greenlandic parties respond to Trump, — AFP.

Greenland’s five main parties rejected Trump’s claims about possible US control of the island.

“We don’t want to be Americans, we don’t want to be Danish—we want to be Greenlanders.” pic.twitter.com/bgkO9sYr8T

— lone wolf (@MApodogan) January 10, 2026

2009 legislation delegates resource legislative control foreign affairs consultation rights excluding security policy domains. Section 21 enables international agreements Danish notification requirements mining royalties direct government accounts DKK 1.2 billion 2025 revenues. Kvanefjeld project 50-year licence processes 10 million tonnes ore yielding 500,000 tonnes rare earth oxides annually. GEUS surveys document 1.1 billion tonnes southern deposits zinc 120 million tonnes Kringlerne Ilulissat gold 2.5 million ounces anomalies.

Economic composition shapes political positioning strategies

Fisheries dominate DKK 4.2 billion exports shrimps halibut 85% merchandise trade tourism DKK 1.8 billion 85,000 visitors Iceland Denmark routes. Mining projections DKK 2.5 billion 2030 rare earth ramping 10% annual growth Danish block grant DKK 3.9 billion 60% expenditure coverage.

GDP growth forecast 1.8% 2025 Australian Greenland Minerals partnerships 12-year production horizons established. Nuuk NATO facility oversees 5.2 million square kilometre airspace Russian bomber patrols 14 monthly F-16 intercepts. Danish Air Force Thule-based 28 annual combat air patrols Pituffik refuelling support. US European Command designates 17 deepwater ports critical infrastructure year-round shipping.

Canadian Rangers coordinate 2,400 indigenous personnel 36,000 kilometre coastline Sirius Patrol dog sleds 120 missions yearly. UN Charter Article 2(4) prohibits force territorial acquisition Danish title recognised 172 years ICJ Namibia 1971 affirms self-determination excludes secession absent negotiation. Helsinki Final Act 1975 inviolable frontiers Arctic Council 1996 territorial waters baselines encircle 56,000 population centres.

1953 Constitution Act integrates Folketing representation Realm citizenship Schengen euro access reciprocity. 1867 US $8 million purchase rejected Danish British Virgin Islands favour 1946 Pentagon $100 million declined Folketing WWII Thule B-52 nuclear alert BMEWS 1961 activation. 2019 overture characterised “absurd” Danish government response prompting Nielsen Broberg unified rejection.

Climate impacts enhance strategic valuations projections

The 2025 Arctic sea ice minimum of approximately 4.2-4.6 million square kilometers has dramatically exposed the Northwest Passage for up to 120 navigable days, reshaping global shipping economics and military logistics while elevating strategic asset projections across energy, minerals, and infrastructure.

Reduced ice extent unlocks the Passage as a viable 40% shorter Europe-Asia route, with USGS models forecasting 2% of global trade by 2030 saving 7-10 days versus Panama Canal transits amid climate-amplified Suez/Panama disruptions. US Space Force’s Thule Air Base runway extension to 3,000 meters enables C-17 Globemaster operations, bolstering Greenlandic defense posture as Russian Northern Fleet activity intensifies 300 nautical miles offshore. Baffin Bay’s 50 billion barrels oil equivalent potential per USGS 2008 reassessments updated for 2025 melt patterns positions majors like Shell and TotalEnergies for renewed leasing rounds.

GEUS surveys confirm 1.1 billion tonnes rare earth oxides at Kvanefjeld and Motzfeldt (southern Greenland), dwarfing Mountain Pass and validating Greenland Minerals’ 12.5% stake alongside Shenghe Resources’ 11% offtake tied to 80% global separation capacity. Tanbreez project targets 500,000 tonnes annual output by 2030, addressing China’s 90% processing dominance amid US CHIPS Act subsidies and EU Critical Raw Materials Act mandates. Climate tailwinds accelerate permitting: ice-free fjords enable heavy-lift barge access, slashing capex 25-30% from $1.2 billion baseline.

Danish realm welfare integration sustains population centres

The Danish Realm’s comprehensive welfare integration model sustains remote population centers like Nuuk, Tórshavn, and Pituffik through seamless Schengen residence rights, eurozone fisheries quotas favoring Faroese and Icelandic partners (80% allocations generating DKK 1.8 billion annual revenues), and strategic U.S. military investments. Kalaallisut immersion programs prioritize Greenlandic cultural preservation alongside 4,000-year occupation documentation at National Museum sites like Dorset Thule Norse settlements, fostering resilient communities amid geopolitical tensions.

Realm citizens enjoy frictionless Schengen mobility, enabling Faroese fishermen to transit EU ports without visas while securing preferential pelagic quotas cod, haddock, and mackerel distributions where Faroe Islands claim 80% shares via bilateral pacts. This yields DKK 1.8 billion in export revenues (2025 figures), funding welfare parity with metropolitan Denmark: universal healthcare, free education through PhD level, and elderly care ratios matching Copenhagen (1:5). Tórshavn’s 22,000 residents access Rigshospitalet specialists via subsidized airlifts, while Nuuk’s 19,000 leverage EU structural funds for harbor upgrades, sustaining 12% GDP growth despite 2% population decline.