Greenland tensions ease, but crisis remains

GREENLAND remains in the international spotlight as diplomatic efforts continue to defuse the crisis sparked by U.S. President Donald Trump's push for acquisition of the island.

AI Brief

Greenland, Denmark and the US have opened direct diplomatic channels, slightly easing tensions sparked by Trump's push to "obtain" Greenland.
Canada and France opened new consulates in Nuuk to show support for Denmark and Greenland while emphasizing respect for territorial integrity.
Despite reduced immediate pressure, Greenlanders remain uneasy as Trump's ambitions and unresolved sovereignty issues continue to drive uncertainty.

At a trilateral press conference on Saturday to mark the opening of Canada's first consulate in Nuuk, capital of Greenland, Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt said that the situation has improved compared with a month ago, citing the establishment of a diplomatic track and direct dialog with Washington.

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen described the situation in similar terms that Denmark is now in a much better position in regards to Trump's intension to take over Greenland, but stressed the crisis is not yet resolved.

Seeking closer engagement with Greenlanders and a stronger presence in the Arctic, France and Canada each inaugurated a consulate in Nuuk on Friday, moves widely interpreted as concrete support for Denmark and Greenland amid the uncertainty.

Although Trump had withdrawn his previously announced threats of high tariffs on eight European countries unless Denmark agrees to his Greenland deal, officials in Denmark and Greenland emphasized that the underlying issue has not been resolved.

The Danish side stressed that any solution must respect the territorial integrity of Denmark.

Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said earlier that sovereignty remains a non-negotiable red line, adding that Greenland is open to cooperation on security and defense with all countries honoring international law.

European countries have repeatedly called for solutions that strictly adhere to international law.

In the quiet capital of Nuuk, home to about 20,000 people, local residents said despite the improved situation, many still felt uneasy.

"For the last month, we have been very worried here, we have felt a lot of pressure. Many people have felt it's hard to sleep at night. Whenever we hear airplane, we were thinking, 'is this the U.S. Army coming?' Now it's a little less tense, but still I think people are a bit worried," said a local resident.

Greenland, the world's largest island, is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with Copenhagen retaining control over defense and foreign policy. Since returning to office in 2025, Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to "obtain" Greenland, a move that has sparked backlash across Europe.