Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen told U.S. special envoy Jeff Landry that Greenland is “not for sale” during a meeting in the capital Nuuk.
Envoy Landry, appointed by President Donald Trump last year to push for the acquisition of the island, met with Prime Minister Nielsen and Greenland Foreign Minister Mute Egede to discuss the territory’s future.
Trump has threatened to take over Greenland – a self-governing part of Denmark, a NATO ally – even by force, arguing that control of the island is necessary for U.S. security.
According to AFP, Nielsen described the meeting as “constructive” but said “nothing indicates that anything has changed” from the U.S.’s earlier stance.
“The people of Greenland are not for sale. Greenland’s right to self-determination is not something that can be negotiated,” Nielsen told Danish broadcaster TV2 after the meeting. Landry did not immediately comment.
Nielsen stressed that Greenland is “focused on finding the best solution for all of us” and preventing threats of “annexation, takeover, or sale” of the country.
Trump has long argued that the U.S. needs to take over Greenland to prevent Russia or China from occupying the island, and has accused Denmark of failing to ensure adequate security. This stance has caused tension within NATO, as many European members reject such threats.
According to Danish public broadcaster DR, Landry said upon arriving in Nuuk that Trump told him to “go there and make as many friends as possible.”
“They requested a meeting, and we explained the situation and our position. We have red lines – we will not sell Greenland; we will own Greenland forever,” Foreign Minister Egede said.
Egede added that a group of experts from the U.S., Greenland, and Denmark is working on a solution to the situation, and that their work appears “promising.”
Trump previously stated that controlling Greenland is vital for the island to become part of his planned Golden Dome missile defense system against nuclear attacks.
