peaking at a joint press conference with Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen, Jens-Frederik Nielsen said clearly that if forced to choose between the United States and Denmark, “we choose Denmark”, along with NATO and the European Union — underscoring that Greenland does not want to be part of the United States or “owned” by it under any circumstances.

Trump — who has repeatedly argued that the US should secure Greenland for strategic reasons, warning that adversaries like Russia or China could otherwise do so — reacted sharply to the announcement. Addressing reporters, he dismissed Nielsen and said the statement would be “a big problem for him.”

 What Greenland’s stance means

• Territorial loyalty: Greenland has reiterated its position as part of the Kingdom of Denmark rather than seeking American governance, reinforcing ties with European and transatlantic security structures.

• NATO commitment: The statement emphasized that Greenland’s defence and security belong within NATO’s framework, not as a US-owned territory, reflecting broad support among European allies for the existing alliance structure.

• Ahead of high-level talks: The remarks came just before scheduled meetings in Washington between Danish/Greenlandic foreign ministers and top US officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, aimed at defusing tensions.

 Why the issue matters now

Trump’s renewed push to bring Greenland into closer American hands — including hints at possible forcible or military options — has alarmed both Danish and EU leaders, who see such moves as a threat to long-established sovereignty and alliance norms. Politicians in Denmark described US pressure as “unacceptable,” warning it could strain NATO’s unity.

Greenland itself has a long history of increasing self-governance since 1979, but most residents remain aligned with Denmark and prefer to see defence and foreign policy managed through established alliances rather than by the United States.

 Geopolitical context

Greenland’s location in the Arctic — rich in critical mineral resources and strategically vital for military and shipping lanes — has made it a focal point of great-power interest. Trump’s comments build on earlier proposals to acquire the territory, a move that has been widely rejected by Greenlanders and condemned by European partners as a violation of sovereignty and international law.

 The firm stance by Greenland’s leadership, backed by Denmark and NATO allies, represents a clear rebuff to US ambitions under Trump’s administration. As diplomatic engagement continues in Washington, the dispute highlights how territorial sovereignty and alliance commitments can collide with superpower strategic interests.