Thousands of Greenlanders have joined a massive protest as they declared their home is “not for sale”.
This comes amid US President Donald Trump’s renewed threats to take over the territory.
A huge crowd of angry locals held signs and waved their national flag in the capital Nuuk, just as the US President announced he would impose tariffs on the UK and European allies over their stance on Greenland.
Trump said he would place 10% tariffs on several European countries, including the UK, until he was able to buy the Danish territory.
One 21-year-old resident, Malik Dollerup-Scheibel, heard the news and said: “I thought this day couldn’t get any worse, but it just did.
“It just shows he has no remorse for any kind of human being now.”
Nearly a quarter of Greenland’s 20,000-strong population turned up to demonstrate against Trump’s threats to Greenland, while other rallies were also held around the territory.
Mum Marie Pedersen, 47, brought her children to the march to “show them that they’re allowed to speak up”.
“We want to keep our own country and our own culture, and our family safe,” she said.
Her nine-year-old daughter, Alaska, held her own “Greenland is not for sale” placard.
Donald Trump has long declared his intention to seize Greenland, a mineral-rich self-governing Danish territory, saying the region is crucial for US national security.
Trump took to his Truth Social page on Saturday, Jan 17, to write: “We have subsidized Denmark, and all of the Countries of the European Union, and others, for many years by not charging them Tariffs, or any other forms of remuneration.
“Now, after Centuries, it is time for Denmark to give back — World Peace is at stake!”
Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Finland will all be charged a 10% tariff “on any and all goods” sent to the US from February 1, Trump confirmed.
He warned the rate will increase to 25% from June 1, until a deal is reached for the United States of America to buy Greenland from Denmark.
Despite the economic damage that Trump’s tarrifs could bring, Greenlanders remained defiant.
One former member of Greenland’s parliament, Tillie Martinussen, said standing up for Nato and Greenland’s autonomy were more important than facing tariffs.
She added: “This is a fight for freedom. It’s for Nato, it’s for everything the western Hemisphere has been fighting for since world war two.”
The threat of tariffs has sparked backlash from political leaders across Europe.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has described the move as “completely wrong” and said he would be “pursuing this directly” with the US administration.
UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said on the TV that the government’s position on Greenland was “non-negotiable”.
Conservative MP Simon Hoare also called for a state visit from King Charles, due to take place later this year to mark the 250th anniversary of US independence, to be cancelled.
Writing on X, he said: “The civilised world can deal with Trump no longer. He is a gangster pirate.”
Denmark’s foreign minister said Trump’s announcement was a surprise after a constructive meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier in the week.
He said more European troops had been deployed to Greenland after Trump’s warning about the importance of the territory for arctic security.
Meanwhile the leaders of the European Commission and European Council have said the tariffs would “undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral”.
In a joint statement, Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa said: “Territorial integrity and sovereignty are fundamental principles of international law.
“They are essential for Europe and for the international community as a whole.”
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