Greenland Is Not for Sale: Danish Prime Minister Sends a Clear Message to Trump
"Denmark Stands Firm: Greenland's Sovereignty Takes Center Stage Amid Trump's Renewed Interest"
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen made it crystal clear in a recent interview that Greenland is not up for sale, following renewed interest from President-elect Donald Trump. Frederiksen emphasized that Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, will decide its own future and dismissed any possibility of the U.S. acquiring the Arctic island.
In her interview with Danish television station TV 2, Frederiksen noted that Greenlandic Prime Minister Múte Egede and the people of Greenland have already voiced strong opposition to such an idea. She stated, “Greenland is not for sale and will not be in the future either. We need to stay calm and stick to our principles.” Despite Trump’s interest, Frederiksen maintained her praise for the U.S., describing it as a key ally for Denmark.
Renewed Push from Trump
President-elect Donald Trump reignited talks of acquiring Greenland in a Truth Social post on Monday, where he claimed to be “hearing that the people of Greenland are ‘MAGA.’” He shared a video that reportedly featured a Greenlander expressing support for the U.S. buying the island. Trump has made similar comments in the past, which previously drew criticism and even humor from Danish officials.
This time, the topic resurfaced as Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr., visited Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, on Tuesday. His trip, however, was labeled a personal visit with no planned meetings with government officials or political leaders.
Don Jr.’s Visit to Greenland
Donald Trump Jr. arrived in Nuuk aboard a plane bearing the iconic “TRUMP” logo. He was greeted warmly by locals and spent the day exploring cultural sites, engaging with Greenlanders, and creating content for his podcast. Trump Jr. shared his experiences through videos and photos, capturing the picturesque landscapes of the Arctic island.
The president-elect celebrated his son’s visit on social media, posting a video of the plane landing in Nuuk and writing, “Don Jr. and my Reps landing in Greenland. The reception has been great. They, and the Free World, need safety, security, strength, and PEACE! This is a deal that must happen. MAGA. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!”
While Trump Jr. avoided political discussions during his trip, he reportedly interacted with locals over speakerphone, with Trump himself joining in for some conversations. Supporters of the president-elect shared these moments widely online.
The Danish Response
Denmark’s reaction to Trump’s renewed interest has been firm yet composed. Prime Minister Frederiksen reiterated that Greenland’s autonomy allows it to make its own decisions and that Denmark fully supports this independence. Frederiksen praised Greenland’s commitment to determining its own future while standing by Denmark’s strong alliance with the United States.
“Greenland has been very clear about its position,” Frederiksen said. “We respect their stance, and it is important to stick to our principles.”
This isn’t the first time Trump’s interest in Greenland has sparked international attention. In 2019, his suggestion of buying the island was met with ridicule and outright rejection from Danish and Greenlandic officials. Frederiksen’s response back then was equally straightforward, calling the idea “absurd.”
Greenland’s Strategic Importance
Greenland’s appeal lies in its strategic location and vast natural resources, including rare minerals and oil. The Arctic region has gained global attention in recent years due to its economic potential and geopolitical significance. However, the island’s residents and leaders have consistently emphasized their desire to remain autonomous and manage their resources on their own terms.
A Political Stunt?
Critics argue that Trump’s renewed push to buy Greenland might be more of a publicity stunt than a serious proposal. The timing of these comments, coming just weeks before Trump is set to take office, has raised eyebrows. Meanwhile, Trump Jr.’s visit, though framed as a personal trip, has further fueled speculation about the administration’s intentions toward the island.
Greenland’s Unwavering Stance
Despite the media buzz surrounding Trump’s remarks and his son’s visit, the message from Greenland and Denmark remains unchanged: Greenland is not for sale. Greenland’s leaders have made it clear that they value their autonomy and will continue to chart their own course.
Frederiksen’s calm yet firm response highlights the importance of respecting international boundaries and the sovereignty of nations and territories. As the Danish Prime Minister put it, “Greenland will choose its own future.”
For now, Trump’s dream of making Greenland part of the U.S. seems as far-fetched as ever. But the renewed interest in this icy island serves as a reminder of the Arctic’s growing role on the world stage.
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By Dumping Tonnes of Sand into the Ocean for 12 Years, China Has Created Brand New Islands from Scratch
Imagine looking out over the South China Sea and seeing islands that weren’t there a decade ago. That’s exactly what’s happening. For 12 years, China has been dredging millions of tonnes of sand from the seabed and dumping it onto shallow reefs. The result? Massive artificial islands with runways, harbors, and even radar systems — entirely built from scratch. It’s an extraordinary engineering achievement. But it’s also a deeply controversial story that touches on geopolitics, environmental damage, and international law. How Do You Build an Island From the Ocean? The process is intense, complicated, and massive in scale. Specialized ships called cutter-suction dredgers scoop up sand and crushed coral from the seabed. That slurry is pumped through pipelines onto reefs, layer by layer, until the area rises above the high-tide line. Once land starts forming, engineers reinforce it with rock and concrete to protect it from storms. Roads, runways, and harbors soon appear, along with radar and communication systems. What was once just a coral reef becomes a fully functional island capable of hosting military aircraft and ships. From a technical standpoint, it’s impressive. From an environmental and geopolitical standpoint, it’s far more complex. Why These Islands Matter The South China Sea is one of the most strategic waterways in the world. About one-third of global maritime shipping passes through here every year, and the sea is rich in oil, gas, and fish. Several countries — including Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan — have claims in the region. China, however, claims almost the entire South China Sea under the so-called “nine-dash line.” Artificial islands give China a physical presence in contested waters, turning submerged reefs into military and logistical hubs. Once an island has a runway or a port, it changes the balance of power. It’s no longer just sand; it’s a foothold that can influence maritime traffic, regional security, and international diplomacy. From Coral Gardens to Concrete Islands There’s a darker side to this story. These islands are built on coral reefs — ecosystems that took thousands of years to form. Dredging and dumping sand destroys these reefs almost instantly. Sediment plumes cloud the water, smothering coral and blocking sunlight. Fish nurseries vanish, and entire marine ecosystems collapse. Nearby fishing communities in countries like the Philippines and Vietnam report lower catches as fish populations decline. What was once a thriving marine environment becomes, for many species, a barren landscape. Geopolitical Tensions Artificial islands aren’t just about sand and concrete; they’re about power projection. Once they host ports, airstrips, and radar systems, they act like permanent military outposts in the middle of contested waters. Even after a 2016 international tribunal ruled that China’s expansive claims were legally invalid, Beijing continued construction. Its neighbors are responding: Vietnam has built its own artificial islands, and the U.S. conducts freedom-of-navigation operations to challenge China’s dominance. These islands are flashpoints for tension, with ships and planes moving constantly to assert influence. What began as an engineering project has become a high-stakes geopolitical chessboard. Legal Questions According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), artificial islands do not generate territorial waters or exclusive economic zones. So technically, China cannot claim surrounding seas just because it built land there. But in practice, perception matters. Once an island is equipped with infrastructure and personnel, it becomes a de facto presence that is difficult to ignore. Countries, ships, and planes start operating around it, effectively shifting influence without officially changing borders. International law is struggling to keep up with technological possibilities. Creating new land from the ocean wasn’t something lawmakers imagined when defining maritime rights. Environmental and Strategic Impacts The environmental consequences are serious: coral reefs, fish populations, and coastal ecosystems are destroyed. Yet these islands also reshape the geopolitical map. They allow China to extend its reach in the South China Sea, assert military presence, and strengthen supply chains across contested waters. This raises a broader question: how should the world balance technological innovation with environmental protection and international norms? Artificial islands like these may be an engineering triumph, but they come with costs that ripple across oceans and generations. The Takeaway China’s decade-long project to create islands from the sea is more than a feat of engineering. It’s a story about power, ambition, and the lengths nations will go to secure influence. These islands are now military bases, geopolitical tools, and environmental scars all at once. As technology advances, creating land where none existed will become easier. But the lessons of the South China Sea are clear: reshaping the earth may give a country strategic advantages, but it also disrupts ecosystems, challenges international law, and sparks regional tension. Sand and sea may seem endless, but the consequences of building on top of them will last for generations.
By Muhammad Hassan4 days ago in The Swamp
Comments (1)
Greenland is as important as it is inhabitable. Because of the the security of the US that makes it a sought after country. Well written article !!!