Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has made it clear that Greenland is not for sale, in response to President-elect Donald Trump’s increased calls for the U.S. to buy the island. Her comments were made during an interview with a Danish TV station, following a visit by Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., to Greenland. Trump Jr.’s trip to Greenland is personal, and he is not expected to meet with any government officials during his visit.
Frederiksen emphasized that Greenland’s Prime Minister, Múte Egede, has made it clear that the people of Greenland strongly believe the island is not for sale and will not be in the future. In the interview, she said that Greenland will determine its own future, and she urged calm and adherence to Denmark’s principles. She also praised the United States as an important ally of Denmark.
President-elect Trump posted a message on Truth Social claiming that he was hearing that the people of Greenland are in favor of the U.S. buying the island. In his post, he attached a video that supposedly shows a Greenlandic person asking the U.S. to buy Greenland.
Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., arrived in Greenland on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, and spent the day in the capital, Nuuk. He visited cultural sites and met with locals, shooting video for a podcast during his trip. Trump Jr. also posted a video showing a plane with the word “TRUMP” landing in Nuuk. In the video, he said that the reception from the people of Greenland had been positive and that Greenland, like the rest of the world, needs safety, security, strength, and peace.
Donald Trump proposed buying Greenland in 2019 during his first term as president. He argued that the territory was of great national security importance to the U.S. and that the purchase would benefit both countries. While Trump Jr.’s visit is unrelated to political discussions, the idea of acquiring Greenland has resurfaced, with some local supporters expressing interest in it. However, the Danish government, along with Greenlandic leaders, have strongly rejected the idea.
