Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has firmly rejected any notion of Greenland becoming part of the United States, asserting Denmark’s sovereignty over the Arctic island during an

official visit this week.

In a joint appearance with Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and former Prime Minister Mute Egede, Frederiksen emphasized unity in the face of renewed pressure from former U.S. President Donald Trump. “You can’t annex other countries,” she told Trump, while offering the U.S. closer cooperation on Arctic security.

Her visit comes shortly after a controversial trip by U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who reignited American interest in acquiring Greenland, citing strategic concerns. Vance criticized Denmark’s defense spending in the Arctic and claimed Copenhagen had neglected the needs of Greenlanders.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen in Brussels on Thursday. The U.S. State Department called the meeting a reaffirmation of strong ties, while Rasmussen said Rubio had recognized Greenland’s right to self-determination but reiterated Denmark’s opposition to any claims on the territory.

Frederiksen, who arrived in Greenland on Wednesday, said: “With the increasing pressure from the United States regarding sovereignty and borders, we must stand together.” She announced plans to bolster Denmark’s military presence in the Arctic and expressed willingness to collaborate more closely with Washington on regional defense—without conceding any ground.

“When our closest ally makes demands to take over part of Danish territory, and does so with pressure and threats, it challenges the trust we’ve long placed in the United States,” she said.

During a patrol boat ride through Nuuk alongside Egede and Nielsen, Frederiksen was met with cheers from locals, one even shouting, “Hey Mette! Thanks for being here,” according to Danish broadcaster DR.

Egede highlighted the island’s longstanding cooperation with the U.S., dating back to a 1951 agreement that led to the construction of the Pituffik Space Base. He stressed, however, that Greenland is “not for sale,” while expressing continued interest in trade with the U.S., as reported by Greenlandic newspaper Sermitsiaq.

Trump first proposed purchasing Greenland during his presidency, a notion that has since resurfaced with growing intensity. Mikaela Engell, former Danish High Commissioner to Greenland, told AFP that Frederiksen’s presence is “very important and reassuring for Greenlanders.”

Greenland, the world’s largest island situated between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, has been under Danish rule for about 300 years. While it controls most domestic matters, foreign and defense policy remain under Copenhagen’s authority.

Though five of Greenland’s six main political parties support eventual independence, they differ on how quickly to pursue it. The current coalition, formed in March and led by the center-right Democrats, supports a gradual approach. Most Greenlanders also favor independence—but not at the cost of becoming part of the U.S.

Since 2009, Greenland has had the legal right to hold an independence referendum, and momentum toward such a vote appears to be growing. Photo by patano, Wikimedia commons.