Overview
- At a Jan. 13 joint news conference in Copenhagen with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Premier Nielsen said, "If we must choose between the United States and Denmark, we choose Denmark."
- Nielsen described the situation as a "geopolitical crisis" and rejected the prospect of U.S. incorporation.
- Polling reported by Reuters shows strong opposition in Greenland to becoming a U.S. territory even as support for eventual independence from Denmark persists.
- Reuters reports it is unclear whether Nielsen’s stance represents a lasting shift away from the territory’s long-running independence aspirations.
- Greenland’s and Denmark’s foreign ministers are scheduled to meet U.S. Vice President Vance in Washington on Jan. 14, and U.S. media reports say President Trump has signaled hard-line options, with Reuters citing considerations that include not ruling out military force and exploring one-time payments to citizens; according to AP, Trump said Nielsen’s remarks would be "a big problem" for him.