Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen addresses people protesting against US President Donald Trump and his announced intention to take over Greenland in Nuuk, Greenland on January 17, 2026.
Sean Gallup Getty Images News | Getty Images
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen said on Monday the Arctic island would not be pressured by US President Donald Trump’s tariff threats.
His comments came shortly after Nielsen joined demonstrators in Greenland’s capital Nuuk who marched over the weekend against President Trump’s push to seize control of the autonomous Danish territory.
On Saturday, the US president threatened to impose a series of tariffs on eight European countries that opposed his campaign.
European political leaders called the proposed tariffs “unacceptable” and vowed to support Denmark, which is responsible for the island’s foreign, defense and security policy.
Greenland’s Nielsen said in a social media post that recent demonstrations in Greenland and Denmark showed “strong and dignified solidarity.”
He also welcomed the support from other European leaders, saying it was a “clear recognition” that Greenland has the right to make its own decisions.
“The United States’ recent statements, including the threat of tariffs, do not change that policy. We will not be pressured. We remain committed to dialogue, respect, and international law,” Nielsen said in a Facebook post, according to Google Translate.
President Trump, who has long aspired to make Greenland part of the United States, renewed his interest in the vast, mineral-rich territory following the U.S. military’s bold military operation in Venezuela on January 3.
The U.S. president has said the United States needs the sparsely populated island for national security reasons, citing concerns about Russia and China’s influence in the Arctic, and recently told reporters that the U.S. intends to acquire Danish autonomy “in some way.”
As part of this push, President Trump has pledged to impose a 10% tariff on Britain, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland starting February 1 if they object to the Greenland purchase plan.
President Trump said taxes on these countries would increase to 25% starting June 1.
European leaders are expected to meet in the coming days to consider a response, which could reportedly include retaliatory tariffs against the United States or a wide range of punitive economic countermeasures.
