Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has told Donald Trump to back off amid his escalating threats towards Greenland.
Frederiksen’s comments come in the wake of the US military intervention in Venezuela and the capture of its President Nicolás Maduro, and as Trump’s rhetoric about taking over Greenland continues.
Trump reiterated his views on Greenland this week, telling The Atlantic: “We do need Greenland, absolutely. We need it for defence.”
“It makes absolutely no sense to talk about the US needing to take over Greenland,” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in response.
“The US has no right to annex any of the three countries in the Danish Kingdom.
“I would therefore strongly urge the US to stop the threats against a historically close ally and against another country and another people, who have very clearly said that they are not for sale.”
Trump’s comments about taking over Greenland came one day after the US captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Trump has said the US will “run” Venezuela and take over its oil industry.
The events have renewed fears that Trump will act on his desire to control Greenland.
On Saturday, Katie Miller, a podcaster and the wife of President Trump’s deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, posted an image of the American flag covering Greenland. She captioned the post with the word “SOON”.
SOON pic.twitter.com/XU6VmZxph3
— Katie Miller (@KatieMiller) January 3, 2026
The Prime Minister of Greenland Jens-Frederik Nielsen also responded to the aggression from the US, writing: “When the President of the United States says that ‘we need Greenland’ and links us to Venezuela and military intervention, it’s not just wrong… it’s disrespectful.”
“Our country is not an object in great power rhetoric.”
“Threats, pressure and annexation have no place between friends.”
Greenland is a self-governing Danish territory with a population of about 57,000 people. It is rich in untapped resources, including oil and gas.
Greenland’s position between North America and Europe also means it is a key strategic site for the US military.
Throughout his second term, Trump has frequently spoken about his desire to annex Greenland. Recently, he named the governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, as a special envoy to Greenland.
Accepting his role, Landry said it was “an honour to serve you in this volunteer position to make Greenland a part of the US”.
At the time, Trump said the US needed Greenland for “national protection”.
“We have to have it,” he said.
Trump has previously mentioned Chinese and Russian ships as potential threats to the seas near Greenland.
Trump’s interest in taking over Greenland is nothing new, but in the wake of the illegal bombardment of Venezuela, the question is now how emboldened he will become. Emboldened not just on Greenland, but in his other foreign policy ambitions. The overthrow of Maduro has flipped global norms and increased tension in the region and it’s put a number of countries on edge.
Words between Trump and Colombia’s president Gustavo Petro have heightened in the wake of Venezuela. Trump said Colombia is “very sick too”, “run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States”.
“He has cocaine mills and cocaine factories and is not going to be doing it very long,” Trump added.
He also threatened Mexico, saying: “You have to do something with Mexico. Mexico has to get their act together.”
Meanwhile, Trump has also threatened military action against Iran as recently as this week.
As his popularity slides domestically and his local policies lack support, Trump may continue look to the international sphere for an ego boost. And his actions in Venezuela may encourage him to pursue futher miltiary action against other nations. His recklessness should not be underestimated.