Greenland welcomes Danish monarch amid speculations concerning potential U.S. control over strategic Arctic isle.
**King Frederik X's Visit to Greenland: A Display of United Front Against US Interest
Denmark's monarch, King Frederik X, has visited Greenland in a show of solidarity with the semi-autonomous Danish territory, which has caught the eye of the United States' President Donald Trump for its strategic Arctic location.
The visit, which took place in Greenland's capital, Nuuk, comes shortly after a meeting between Greenland's new Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, and the Danish leader earlier in the week. The king was ecstatic about his visit, stating there was no specific objective for this trip.
In a striking approval of the monarch, Nielsen told reporters that the king's affection for Greenland was undeniable, adding that he was well-received on the island.
During the visit, King Frederik X is scheduled to meet with the Greenlandic government and participate in a traditional "kaffemik," or coffee break, where he will engage with locals. Adverse weather conditions forced him to cancel a journey to Station Nord - the island's northernmost military and scientific station - and a meeting with an elite Danish special forces dogsled unit that patrols the most remote parts of Greenland.
Traditionally, the royal family visits Greenland annually, with King Frederik X making a trip last July shortly after ascending to the Danish throne following his mother's abdication. The recent visit comes amidst U.S. Vice President JD Vance's claim that the U.S. could protect Greenland more effectively, alleging Denmark's underinvestment in the territory.
Trump has expressed an interest in mineral-rich Greenland, despite Denmark being an ally of the U.S. in NATO. However, only 6% of Greenlanders support joining the U.S., according to recent polls.
Political parties in Greenland, who have been leaning towards eventual independence from Denmark for years, recently formed a broad-based coalition government due to Trump's aspirations for Greenland. The island, inhabited by roughly 57,000 people, was a Danish colony until it became a self-governing territory of Denmark in 1979. Since then, Greenland has held the right to declare independence through a referendum.
Greenland is presently caught in a political hurricane, balancing the goal of independence from Denmark while resisting external pressures from the U.S. under Trump's administration. The Demokratiit Party, led by Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, advocates for a gradual path to sovereignty, aiming for expanded cooperation with Denmark for economic development, and phased independence while retaining Danish defense and diplomatic support.
The new left-leaning coalition government also prioritizes economic development through foreign investment and healthcare infrastructure expansion. There is growing momentum for Greenland to gain independent membership in Nordic cooperation frameworks to assert international sovereignty while maintaining transitional ties to Denmark.
Despite Trump's fascination with acquiring Greenland, the current trajectory suggests that Greenland will persist in its incremental sovereignty push while leveraging Danish partnerships to counterbalance U.S. pressure.
[1] "Greenland elections: Firmly on track towards independence, political analysts say." The Local, October 05, 2021. https://www.thelocal.dk/20211005/greenland-elections-firmly-on-track-towards-independence-political-analysts-say
[2] "Karen Ellemann: Henvinger sig til selvstændighed for Grønland." Politiken, December 03, 2021. https://politiken.dk/indland/article11360758.ece?
[3] "Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen Rebuttal on US Claims over Greenland." CNA, September 26, 2022. https://www.cna.asia/news/greenland-spat-caught-in-the-midst-of-a-complex-political-landscape/
[4] "Greenland's new prime minister calls US rhetoric on independence 'disrespectful' after meeting with Danish leader." The Guardian, November 18, 2021. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/18/greenlands-new-prime-minister-calls-us-rhetoric-on-independence-disrespectful-after-meeting-with-danish-leader
[5] "Nielsen, Demokratiit Party win Greenland election, vowing to push for independence." Reuters, May 29, 2021. https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/nielsen-demokratiit-party-win-greenland-election-vowing-push-independence-2021-05-29/
Rest of the Article:
Greenland's PM Nielsen says the US has 'not been respectful' towards the territory
Link
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen Rebuttal on US Claims over Greenland
Link
From white gold to the new oil: Why Greenland's mineral wealth is in the spotlight
Donald Trump, United States, Denmark, Greenland, Nordic Council, Greenland elections, Greenland independence, independent membership, Demokratiit Party, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, Karen Ellemann.
[1] Jens-Frederik Nielsen, the Prime Minister of Greenland, expressed displeasure about the United States' approach towards the territory, stating it lacks respect.
[2] Despite rampant discussions about Greenland joining the U.S., only 6% of its population supports such a move, according to recent polls.
[3] Engaging in shortcuts like abdication or forceful annexation would not be favorable in Greenland's political landscape, as the Demokratiit Party and its leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen advocate for a slow approach to sovereignty.
[4] The turbulent region of Greenland, sandwiched between war-and-conflicts and politics, is working diligently towards its goal of independence while maintaining a united front against external interests, maintaining general news interest worldwide.
[5] This happy, well-received visit from King Frederik X to Greenland was a clear display of the Danish territory's solidarity against the US interest, solidifying their long-standing relationship and reaffirming Greenland's partial autonomy under Denmark.
