Greenland leader says Trump crisis changed ties with Denmark

Greenland’s leader, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, says the pressure over US President Donald Trump’s demands for control of the island has helped change relations with Denmark. In an interview with DR, he said Danes now have a better understanding of Greenland.

“I think most Danes today know where Greenland is,” Nielsen said, adding that the past two years had put the relationship under severe strain. He said Greenland had long been the side expected to orient itself towards Denmark, but now saw interest moving in both directions.

“I think that is healthy, and something we have to build on. If we are a commonwealth, we have to be equally interested in each other for it to work,” he said.

A period of intense pressure

Trump has repeatedly demanded US control of Greenland and refused to rule out economic or military pressure. The US has also sharply criticised Denmark, the Kingdom of Denmark and its European allies.

Nielsen said the situation became particularly tense in January and February, when an invasion of Greenland could not be ruled out. He pointed to the US attack on Venezuela during the same period, saying the action showed that the US could enter another country and take its president.

“It is probably no exaggeration to say that January and February were an extremely, extremely tense situation,” he said.

Nielsen said he had felt the fear among Greenlanders. The pressure meant the Greenlandic and Danish governments had to coordinate closely and present a united front, he said. He added that both sides had been clear that internal matters concerning Greenland and Denmark had to be resolved by them.

Asked whether he had softened his rhetoric towards Denmark to keep the US at a distance, Nielsen said the tone had eased on both sides. Close cooperation had been essential, he said, and remained so.

Working together while seeking self-determination

Nielsen said closer cooperation with Denmark did not conflict with Greenland’s goal of greater self-determination. Greenland still wanted to stand more on its own and gradually increase its self-rule, he said, adding that good progress had been made in recent years.

He said he had changed his metaphor for the relationship. Instead of saying Greenland and Denmark should move closer together on a bus, he now says they should get into the same boat and row in the same direction. In a boat, he said, everyone has to contribute.

Asked if there was anything he wanted Danes to know, Nielsen recalled 17 January, when thousands of people took to the streets in Copenhagen, Aarhus, Odense and Aalborg with the message that Greenland belongs to Greenlanders. Demonstrations were also held in Greenland that day, calling for the island’s right to decide its own future.