Protesters in Greenland and Denmark demonstrated on Saturday against U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to take control of the Arctic island, demanding that local citizens be allowed to determine their own future.
Meanwhile, Trump announced that the United States would impose new tariffs on several European countries if an agreement to buy Greenland is not reached, escalating his long-term push for American control of the Arctic territory. He argued that the U.S. needs Greenland for national security reasons, which, according to him, could also strengthen NATO, reports CNN.
Trump stated that starting February 1, a 10% tariff would be imposed on “all goods” from Denmark, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and other countries, increasing to 25% on June 1 until a deal is reached. He claimed Greenland is central to U.S. and global security and warned that limited foreign military personnel stationed on the island represent a “very dangerous situation for the security, defense, and survival of our planet.”
His repeated statements have strained diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Denmark, which retains sovereignty over the territory while granting Greenlanders the right to self-determination, and have drawn criticism from NATO member states.
In Denmark, thousands protested in Copenhagen, Aarhus, Aalborg, and Odense in solidarity with Greenland’s population.
A protest also took place in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital. By 2:00 PM local time, around 5,000 people—a significant portion of the island’s 56,000 residents—had gathered. Protesters carried signs reading “Yankee go home” and “Greenland is already great.”
In Copenhagen, demonstrators held banners saying “Hands off Greenland”, alongside the Danish flag, according to Reuters. Protests across Denmark were organized by Greenlandic organizations in cooperation with the NGO ActionAid Denmark, timed to coincide with a visit by U.S. senators.
“We are demonstrating against the U.S. statements and ambitions to annex Greenland,” said Camilla Siezing, chair of the Inuit Association, one of the Greenlandic groups involved.
“We demand respect for the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenland’s right to self-determination. We hope to show that many of us support Greenland.”
In Nuuk, protesters were equally defiant. One woman told CNN: “We are not for sale.” Another, Patricia, added: “We have seen what he does in Venezuela and Iran. He respects nothing; he just takes what he thinks belongs to him… He abuses his power.”
A male protester said: “We do not accept this kind of aggression,” referring to Trump’s threats. “My biggest fear is that the U.S. military will come here and try to take control of our country. But I don’t think that will happen.”
Amid the escalating situation, a bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation traveled to Copenhagen to meet with Danish and Greenlandic leaders.
At a press conference, Senator Chris Coons, leading the delegation, said the “pace of statements” from the Trump administration regarding the potential Greenland purchase was not constructive. He also expressed respect for Greenland’s indigenous population:
“It is a remote and challenging place to live, and the people of Greenland have built a culture and way of life from an extremely difficult environment that deserves deep respect.”
The congressman highlighted the U.S.-Denmark partnership, including military cooperation. Later on Saturday, the delegation planned to lay a wreath at a cemetery honoring Danish soldiers who died alongside U.S. forces in conflicts like Afghanistan, signaling the value of Denmark’s military partnership with the U.S.
From Nuuk, CNN’s international diplomatic editor Nic Robertson said the congressional visit aimed to underscore U.S. appreciation for Denmark’s military alliance, showing recognition for the lives sacrificed by Danish troops.
