Thousands of Greenlanders staged a mass protest on Saturday, marching across snow- and ice-covered streets to oppose US President Donald Trump’s renewed push to bring the Arctic territory under American control.
In the capital Nuuk, demonstrators waved Greenland’s red-and-white flag, carried placards reading “Greenland is not for sale,” and walked from the city centre to the US Consulate under heavy police presence. Organisers said nearly a quarter of Nuuk’s population took part, making it the largest demonstration the island has witnessed.
The mood hardened after news broke that Trump had announced a 10% import tariff, starting in February, on goods from Denmark and several other European countries that oppose US claims over Greenland.
“I thought this day couldn’t get any worse but it just did,” said Malik Dollerup-Scheibel. “It just shows he has no remorse for any kind of human being now.”
Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen joined the march, as similar solidarity rallies were held in other Greenlandic towns and in Copenhagen.
Many protesters said frustration had peaked after repeated statements by Trump suggesting the United States would take Greenland “one way or the other.”
“We said it last year and we will keep saying it: we are not for sale,” said Isak Berthelsen, adding that repeating the message showed Greenlanders had “our own voice.”
“This is a fight for freedom,” said former lawmaker Tillie Martinussen. “It’s for NATO, it’s for everything the Western Hemisphere has been fighting for since World War II.”
Trump has argued that Greenland is vital to US national security, citing growing competition in the Arctic from China and Russia, a position the White House reiterated last week. The stance has raised concern within NATO and intensified diplomatic tensions between Washington and European allies.
European NATO members, including France, Germany, Sweden and Norway, have announced troop deployments to Greenland as part of Danish-led security exercises, further underscoring the strategic sensitivity of the region.
For many demonstrators, however, the message remained unchanged.
“We are not American, and we will never be American,” said Maria Meier Brun at a rally in Copenhagen.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
Find the best of Al News in one place, specially curated for you every weekend.
Stay on top of the latest tech trends and biggest startup news.
