Anticipated Actions During Mette Frederiksen's Trip to Greenland

Title: Hot Potato: Greenland Trip Sparks Controversy

Mette Frederiksen, the Prime Minister of Denmark, is gearing up for a heated visit to Greenland - and it's not because of the chilly Arctic climate.

This trip is meant to show solidarity within the Danish kingdom, but it's raised eyebrows among some Greenlandic officials.

The Great Arctic Power Struggle

Frederiksen's visit comes during increased pressure on both Copenhagen and Nuuk from the US administration. The US President, Donald Trump, has stated that he wants to control the vast Arctic Island. But Greenland's new Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, has made it clear that Greenland will decide its own future.

"President Trump says the United States 'will get Greenland.' Let me be clear: The United States will not get Greenland. We don't belong to anyone else. We decide our own future," Nielsen declared on Facebook.

Timing is Everything

The timing of Frederiksen's visit has sparked criticism from Greenland's new Foreign Minister, Vivian Motzfeldt, who is from the Siumut party. Motzfeldt argues that the visit comes before the official confirmation of the new Greenlandic government, scheduled for next Monday.

"One of the criticisms of VP JD Vance's visit, that it came when Greenland was yet to have its new government in place following elections, also applies to Frederiksen," Motzfeldt said.

But, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who represents a different party in the new coalition government, Demokraatit, has welcomed the Danish visit.

Dance But Don't Rock the Boat

Ulrik Pram Gad, a Greenland expert and researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS), suggests that Motzfeldt's criticism may be a subtle reminder to Denmark about the unequal relationship between the two countries.

"This is maybe a way to remind Denmark to look inwards. It's a way to say to Mette Frederiksen that we are close friends, but we are two different peoples and countries who must have equal value," Gad said.

Gad expects the visit to be more about building relationships than making major decisions. "I think she will be well received. There will probably be a group discussion rather than any initial negotiations. My guess is that everything will remain quite vague and non-committal," he said.

The U.S. vs Greenland: A Long Story

The U.S. interest in Greenland is not new. Greenland's political leadership has consistently opposed U.S. annexation attempts. Greenlanders have frequently expressed their rejection of U.S. control, with 85% of Greenlanders rejecting U.S. control in a 2025 poll.

The European Union has backed Denmark's territorial integrity concerns. Diplomatic friction between Denmark and the U.S. has intensified due to aggressive U.S. actions, such as a controversial March 2025 visit from a U.S. delegation.

Meanwhile, the U.S. has employed a multi-pronged strategy, including financial incentives, historical precedents, and propaganda efforts, to sway Greenlandic public opinion toward U.S. affiliation.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.

Note: This article has been written for informational purposes only. It does not reflect the political stance of the author.

In response to growing pressure from the US administration, Mette Frederiksen's visit to Greenland, intended as a show of Danish kingdom solidarity, has raised concerns among some Greenlandic officials.
Jens-Frederik Nielsen, Greenland's new Prime Minister, has reiterated that Greenland will decide its own future, following statements from US President Donald Trump expressing a desire to control the Arctic Island.
The timing of Frederiksen's visit has been criticized by Greenland's new Foreign Minister, Vivian Motzfeldt, who argues that it precedes the official confirmation of the new Greenlandic government.
Ulrik Pram Gad, a Greenland expert, suggests that Motzfeldt's criticism may serve as a reminder to Denmark about the importance of maintaining an equal relationship with Greenland.
The US interest in Greenland is not new, with Greenland's political leadership consistently opposing annexation attempts and expressing rejection of US control, as seen in a 2025 poll where 85% of Greenlanders rejected US control.