Greenlanders Fear Trump's Annexation Plans Ahead of White House Talks

Greenlanders Voice Fears as Trump Pushes for U.S. Control of Arctic Territory

Residents of Greenland are expressing deep anxiety and frustration as former U.S. President Donald Trump continues his campaign to acquire the strategically important Arctic territory, with high-level talks scheduled today at the White House. The meeting between U.S., Danish, and Greenlandic officials follows Trump's recent declaration that 'anything less than U.S. control of Greenland is unacceptable' and his threat that the island will become American 'whether they like it or not.'

'Trump Sees Us Only as a Piece of Land'

In Nuuk, Greenland's snow-covered capital, clothing designer Mia Chemnitz voices the concerns of many Greenlanders. 'For me, Greenland is a country with its own culture, where nature is central,' she says. 'I hear Trump talking only about Greenland as a piece of territory. It's not about the residents for him.' Chemnitz, who creates traditional Greenlandic clothing using muskox wool, adds that Trump's refusal to rule out military force has shattered her trust. 'How can I ever trust the American government again?'

The situation places Greenlanders in a difficult position between two powers deciding their fate: Denmark, which still controls Greenland's defense and foreign policy as part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and the United States, which views the territory as vital for national security. 'If you're part of a kingdom and feel someone is above you, you wonder in negotiations whether they're doing what's best for themselves or choosing for us Greenlanders,' Chemnitz explains, referencing Greenland's complicated history with Danish colonialism and discrimination.

Geopolitical Stakes in the Arctic

Greenland's strategic location between the U.S. and Russia, coupled with its vast mineral resources including rare earth elements, makes it a geopolitical prize. Trump has cited national security concerns, claiming NATO would become 'far more formidable and effective' with Greenland under American control. However, both Greenlandic and Danish officials have firmly rejected annexation, with Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen stating Greenland chooses Denmark, NATO, and the EU over U.S. control.

The meeting comes amid heightened tensions within NATO. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen has acknowledged a 'fundamental disagreement' with Trump over Greenland, while France plans to open a consulate in Greenland in what its foreign minister called a signal against U.S. 'blackmail.' Denmark has also announced increased military presence in the Arctic and North Atlantic.

Cultural Identity Under Threat

For many Greenlanders, the threat extends beyond politics to cultural survival. Arnakkuluk Jo Kleist, speaking at Greenland's cultural center, expresses anger and sadness. 'I feel angry and sad that we now have to sit in fear because powerful countries are interested in this part of the world,' she says. 'I hope the American interest passes and that Greenlanders eventually become fully in charge of our own land.'

Despite the tensions, some Greenlandic politicians downplay military intervention as unrealistic given Greenland's 80-year security alliance with the U.S. However, the psychological impact is profound. As Nuuk Mayor Avaaraq Olsen notes, the threats feel 'disrespectful and offensive' to a people who have already demonstrated against any U.S. takeover.

A United Front Against Annexation

Greenland's current strategy is to present a united front with Denmark. 'We choose the Greenland we know today, which is part of the Danish kingdom,' Prime Minister Nielsen stated at a joint press conference with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. This message targets both Greenlanders and the U.S., though Trump dismissed Nielsen, saying 'I don't know who he is, I know nothing about him. But I do know it will be a big problem for him.'

As talks proceed, Greenlanders watch anxiously, aware that their homeland's future hangs in the balance between great power ambitions and their own right to self-determination. With 85% of Greenlanders opposing an American takeover according to polls, the territory's 56,000 residents face an uncertain future in the geopolitically charged Arctic.

Sources: Time Magazine, CNN, CBC News, Wikipedia