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3mo ago

Macron Visits Greenland to Demonstrate European Support for Greenland’s Sovereignty

The visit follows US threats to seize the island, featuring discussions on Arctic security, climate change, deeper EU partnerships.

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Homes are built into the rugged landscape on March 12, 2025, in Nuuk, Greenland. The self-ruling Danish territory and world's largest island has been thrust into the geopolitical spotlight as U.S. President Donald Trump has vowed to acquire it, citing its strategic value, drawing objections from Danish and Greenlandic leaders. In his State of the Union address, Trump said the US needed Greenland for national security and would "get it one way or the other," but added that he supported Greenlanders' right to determine their own future. The territory holds its general election on March 11.
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Overview

  • Macron became the first foreign leader to set foot in Greenland since President Trump’s January annexation threats when he landed in Nuuk on June 15.
  • He asserted that Greenland is not for sale and emphasized that only its residents can determine their future, directly challenging US takeover plans.
  • Macron met with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen to discuss Arctic security, climate response, economic development and ways to deepen EU-Greenland cooperation.
  • Denmark unveiled a US$2 billion plan in January to expand its Arctic military presence and NATO agreed to establish a Combined Air Operations Centre in Norway to bolster regional defence.
  • Despite White House refusals to rule out force and Vice President Vance’s March visit to a US base, polls show most Greenlanders favour independence from Denmark but reject joining the United States.