Greenland’s Prime Minister fired back at Donald Trump after the US President made controversial remarks about the Arctic island on social media. The leader delivered a pointed response that reaffirmed his nation’s identity and called on Western allies to defend the international order.
Jens-Frederik Nielsen hits back at Donald Trump’s insult
Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen rejected US President Donald Trump’s recent description of the Arctic island. Trump posted on social media that NATO was unreliable and called Greenland “that big, poorly run, piece of ice.” Nielsen responded firmly to the remarks on Thursday.
“We are not some piece of ice. We are a proud population of 57,000 people, working every single day as good global citizens in full respect for all our allies,” Nielsen told the Reuters news agency. He called on NATO allies to unite in defense of international law and the post-war geopolitical order. He stressed that these principles face serious challenges right now.
Trump’s frustration stemmed from NATO’s reluctance to join the US-Israel war on Iran. He vented on Wednesday, saying the alliance would not be there “if we need them again.” His comments followed a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
NATO allies earlier this year scrambled to hold the alliance together after Trump revived his push to seize Greenland. The White House in January said Trump was weighing military force on the island. Germany, France, and other European nations sent small troop contingents in a message of solidarity.
Trump later backed down after talks with Rutte, stating that “the framework of a future deal” had been formed. Greenland, Denmark, and the US launched diplomatic talks in late January. Nielsen confirmed those discussions remain ongoing with more meetings scheduled (via Al Jazeera).
The US already has a base on Greenland and can expand its presence under a 1951 treaty. Nielsen suggested factoring that existing agreement into defence cooperation discussions. He also made clear he believes Trump still wants control of the island. “I cannot see that his desire to either take over or control Greenland has been taken off the table,” he said.
Originally reported by Vritti Johar on Mandatory.com.
