‘We choose Denmark’: Greenland PM rejects Trump’s takeover bid

Copenhagen: Greenland’s Prime Minister on Tuesday formally rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed assertions of a territorial takeover, declaring that the autonomous island will remain under the Danish crown to preserve its sovereignty.

In a direct response to escalating rhetoric from Washington, Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen stated that Greenland would unequivocally side with Copenhagen in what he described as an emerging "geopolitical crisis."

"We are now facing a geopolitical crisis, and if we have to choose between the United States and Denmark here and now, we choose Denmark," Nielsen told reporters during a press conference in the Danish capital.

The remarks follow a series of weekend provocations from President Trump, who on Sunday reiterated his long-standing desire to acquire the mineral-rich Arctic territory. Speaking to reporters, the president warned that the U.S. would obtain the island "one way or the other," citing national security concerns and the alleged threat of Russian and Chinese expansion in the region.

"One thing must be clear to everyone: Greenland does not want to be owned by the United States. Greenland does not want to be governed by the United States. Greenland does not want to be part of the United States," Nielsen said.

Standing alongside the Greenlandic leader, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen condemned the "completely unacceptable pressure" exerted by the United States, a nation she still termed Denmark's "closest ally." She noted that while resisting such advances from a major power was difficult, she warned that the "most challenging part is ahead of us."

While the Trump administration has insisted that control of the Arctic island is a prerequisite for North American security, Frederiksen emphasised that Denmark remains committed to traditional defence frameworks. She stressed that Copenhagen intends to "strengthen cooperation on security in the Arctic with the United States, with NATO, with Europe and with the Arctic states in NATO," rather than through territorial concessions.

The diplomatic standoff is expected to reach a critical juncture on Wednesday. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt are scheduled to arrive at the White House for high-stakes talks with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

With inputs from AFP