Hundreds of people gathered in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, on Friday to protest against US efforts to expand its influence over the island following renewed comments and diplomatic activity from President Donald Trump’s administration.
The demonstration came during a week marked by the visit of US special envoy Jeff Landry, who travelled to Greenland as Washington seeks to strengthen its strategic presence in the Arctic territory, which remains a self-governing part of Denmark.
Protesters marched through the city chanting “Greenland is for Greenlanders” before holding a silent demonstration outside the newly opened US consulate. Organisers said the message was a clear rejection of any suggestion that Greenland could be placed under greater US control.
“Our government has already made it clear to Donald Trump and his administration that Greenland is not for sale,” said protest organiser Aqqalukkuluk Fontain, adding that the demonstration was intended as a signal to both the US and the wider international community.
Several participants said the US diplomatic push felt intrusive. One protester, Inge Bisgaard, described the visit as disrespectful, saying residents were still uneasy following earlier remarks from Trump about acquiring Greenland. Another attendee questioned the purpose of expanding US diplomatic infrastructure in Nuuk.
The new US consulate, a large facility in central Nuuk, replaces a smaller building and has drawn attention locally due to its size and timing. Some residents have nicknamed it informally, reflecting mixed feelings about the growing American presence.
At the opening ceremony, the US national anthem was performed and officials, including US Ambassador to Denmark Kenneth Howery, described Greenland as a strategically important region and emphasised cooperation and long-term partnership.
However, most Greenlandic political leaders did not attend the event. Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen declined the invitation, and other senior officials also stayed away, signalling diplomatic distance amid ongoing tensions.
Jeff Landry’s visit included meetings with Greenlandic officials and business representatives as part of efforts to build economic and political ties. He also suggested that Greenland could achieve strong economic growth if it were independent, while reiterating US interest in the region’s strategic value.
The visit has been viewed differently on both sides. US officials say the aim is to strengthen cooperation on security and development, while many Greenlanders see it as pressure on their sovereignty.
The White House has said it remains optimistic about continued dialogue with Greenland and emphasised its focus on regional security interests.
The dispute comes as the Arctic gains increasing geopolitical importance, particularly due to its location and natural resources. The US already maintains a military presence in Greenland, although it is significantly smaller than during the Cold War era.
Discussions between Washington and its allies over future cooperation and security arrangements in the Arctic are expected to continue at upcoming diplomatic meetings.
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