Thousands of people in Greenland and Denmark have protested against plans by US President Donald Trump to take over Greenland – an autonomous Danish territory.
Demonstrations were held in Danish cities including the capital, Copenhagen, as well as in Greenland’s capital, Nuuk.
The rallies coincide with a visit to Copenhagen by a delegation from the US Congress. Its leader, Democratic Senator Chris Coons, described Mr Trump’s rhetoric as “not constructive”.
Mr Trump has not ruled out taking Greenland, which he insists is critical for America’s national security, by force – and has now announced he will impose tariffs European countries that are opposed to his plan.
Goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland will be subject to a 10% US tariff from 1 February, he wrote on his Truth Social platform on Saturday.
Accusing these countries of playing “a very dangerous game”, he said the tariffs would be raised to 25% on 1 June “until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland”.
Greenland is sparsely populated but resource-rich and its location between North America and the Arctic makes it well placed for early warning systems in the event of missile attacks and for monitoring vessels in the region.
Trump has previously said Washington would get the territory “the easy way” or “the hard way” – an apparent reference to buying the island or taking it by force.
In Copenhagan on Saturday, placards were held up reading: “Hands Off Greenland” and “Greenland for Greenlanders”.
“It’s very important that we stay together and show that Greenland is not for sale and we would not like to be an American or won’t be annexed by the USA,” Greenlandic politician Erik Jensen told the Reuters news agency.
Saturday’s protests are organised by Greenlandic and Danish NGOs. “We demand respect for the Danish Realm and for Greenland’s right to self-determination,” said Camilla Siezing, heads of Inuit, an umbrella group of Greenlandic associations.
In Nuuk, Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen joined protesters holding signs reading “Greenland is not for sale” and “we shape our future” as they headed for the US consulate.
Opinion polls suggest 85% of Greenlanders oppose the territory joining the US.
Other European countries have rallied to Denmark’s support, arguing that the security of the Arctic region should be a joint Nato responsibility.
France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, the Netherlands and the UK have dispatched a small number of troops to Greenland in a so-called reconnaissance mission.
Many in the US have expressed scepticism about acquiring Greenland. Most of the Congressional delegation visiting Denmark are Democrats, but the 11-member team also includes moderate Republicans.
“There are legitimate reasons for us to explore ways to invest better in Arctic security broadly, both in the American Arctic and in our Nato partners,” said Coons.
Source: BBC
