Danish PM to Greenlanders: ‘You have not been cowed’ by Trump - POLITICO

Byline: Morgan Smith

On the cusp of a noteworthy visit from American officials, including JD Vance, the Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, has issued a cautionary message to the residents of Greenland. She warns that the interest of President Donald Trump in the autonomous territory "is not going away." This pre-visit statement serves as a testament to the continuing political tug-of-war surrounding Greenland, a region that has been under Danish sovereignty since the 18th century.

The American president's interest in Greenland has been viewed by many as a strategic maneuver, given the island's geographic significance and wealth of natural resources. Frederiksen's message, issued on the eve of this high profile visit, underscores the enduring nature of these geopolitical interests, and the mounting pressure faced by Greenlanders in the face of this sustained attention. The Danish Prime Minister's comments are therefore not only a reminder of the ongoing political situation, but also a rallying call to the population of Greenland.

The keen interest in Greenland by the United States, particularly by President Donald Trump, is no sudden revelation. This Arctic nation, though geographically isolated, holds strategic significance on many fronts. Greenland is the world's largest island that is not a continent, providing the U.S. with potential access to the Arctic. Rising temperatures have resulted in melting ice caps, revealing resource-rich terrain and opening new potential shipping lanes. This has elevated Greenland's geopolitical importance, making it a key player in the new "Great Game" of the Arctic.

Aside from its geographical advantages, Greenland's underground wealth is another factor attracting global attention. It is estimated to hold vast amounts of untapped resources, including rare earth minerals, oil, and gas. These resources could prove critical in the ongoing technology and energy races among global powers. China, for instance, has also shown interest in Greenland's mineral reserves, further emphasizing its geopolitical significance.

Yet, the strategic value of Greenland extends beyond resources and geography. As global warming continues to impact the Arctic, the region's importance in climate research is becoming increasingly apparent. Greenland's ice cores provide valuable data for scientists studying the planet's climate history, making the island a crucial part of global environmental research efforts. This scientific significance adds another layer to the complex interests surrounding Greenland.

Greenland's geopolitical significance cannot be underestimated. The territory is the world's largest island that is not a continent, with a massive expanse of 2.166 million square kilometers. Moreover, it is strategically located between the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, making it a prime location for military and scientific outposts, and potentially a hub for shipping routes as Arctic ice continues to melt due to climate change.

Perhaps most importantly, however, Greenland is believed to hold vast untapped reserves of oil, gas, and rare earth minerals. These resources are becoming increasingly accessible as the ice cap continues to recede, attracting the attention of nations around the globe. In fact, China, which is heavily reliant on imported rare earth minerals for its booming tech industry, has expressed interest in Greenland.

Despite this, Denmark's PM has urged Greenlanders to remain resilient in the face of external pressures. He emphasized that their unique way of life and national sovereignty are of paramount importance. He also stressed that any decisions regarding Greenland's future should be made by Greenlanders themselves, not by foreign powers.

This message of self-determination resonates heavily with the island's inhabitants. While Greenland is technically part of the Kingdom of Denmark, it has been granted extensive autonomy since 1979. The territory has its own government and parliament, and the vast majority of its population is Inuit, with a distinct language and culture.

Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, has been under the spotlight due to its strategic importance. The largest island in the world, it holds significant geopolitical value due to its proximity to the Arctic. With climate change shrinking polar ice, new shipping routes are opening up in the region, offering faster transit times between Asia and the West. Moreover, Greenland is rich in untapped natural resources including iron ore, lead, zinc, diamonds, gold, rare earth elements, uranium, and oil.

According to Dr. John Mitchell, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, "The Arctic is becoming increasingly important for global commerce, and Greenland is at its epicenter. The island's potential for mineral extraction is huge, but more importantly, control over Greenland offers a strategic advantage in the increasingly contested Arctic region."

President Trump's interest in Greenland can be seen as part of his administration's broader focus on the Arctic. In 2019, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that the region was a venue for potential cooperation, competition, and even conflict.

"As the Arctic's ice melts and reveals new trade routes and mineral resources, the geopolitical importance of the region, and by extension Greenland, is only set to increase," Dr. Mitchell added. "This makes Greenland an attractive prospect for any country, not just the United States."

As American interest in Greenland continues to persist, the Danish Prime Minister's visit and comforting words mark a significant moment for the island's residents. The ongoing geopolitical developments revolving around Greenland underscore the strategic importance of the island to major global players, including the United States. As the Prime Minister rightly pointed out, Greenland's residents have remained steadfast and undeterred in the face of this interest.

While it remains to be seen how this situation will ultimately unfold, the enduring strength and resilience of the Greenlandic people is undoubtedly a key factor. The Prime Minister's reassurances and the support from the Danish government are symbolic of the national and international solidarity backing Greenland's sovereignty. With the world watching, Greenlanders continue to stand their ground, proving that they are, indeed, "not cowed" by foreign interest.

Source: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/26/danish-pm-greenland-trump-vance-00253034