Protests have broken out in various locations in Greenland and Denmark in opposition to Donald Trump’s repeated threats to annex the island territory. The US President has pledged to impose additional tariffs on nations that oppose his annexation plans.
In Greenland’s capital Nuuk, massive crowds of protesters took to the streets, proudly displaying the red and white flag of the island territory and asserting its non-negotiable status. Trump argues that US ownership of Greenland is crucial for national security, a claim strongly refuted by Denmark, which has allowed the US to station more troops on the island but firmly stated they will not “trade people” to Washington DC.
Responding to challenges from Denmark and other nations regarding his annexation intentions, Trump announced intentions to impose a 10% tariff on the UK and potentially raise it to 25% by June 1 until an agreement is reached for the complete purchase of Greenland.
Keir Starmer criticized Trump’s actions, affirming that Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and its future should be decided by Greenlanders and Danes. He emphasized the importance of Arctic security for NATO and urged allies to collaborate in addressing threats in the region. Starmer condemned the imposition of tariffs on allies for pursuing collective NATO security as unjust and stated intentions to engage directly with the US administration on the matter.
A recent survey by Verian in January 2025 revealed that the vast majority of Greenlanders either support independence or wish to remain part of Denmark, with only six percent expressing a desire to join the US. Any attempt to seize Greenland, a territory of NATO member Denmark, through force would trigger intervention by NATO allies.
Greenlanders in Nuuk expressed their opposition to becoming part of the US, underscoring their preference for independence or continued affiliation with Denmark. The historical ties between Greenland and Denmark date back centuries, with a significant portion of the population advocating for autonomy. Demonstrations in Copenhagen also took place in protest against Donald Trump, while Danes have traditionally considered themselves as steadfast and trustworthy allies of the US.
Greenland has been a self-governing entity within Denmark since 2009, with aspirations for greater autonomy and control over its future direction.
