Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has given a show of unity with Greenland leaders and visits to the Arctic since saying that he is still Denmark and Europe when Greenland is in “difficult” due to the new threat of Donald Trump gaining territory.
The Danish Prime Minister was set to board the testing vessel on Thursday with Greenland’s new Prime Minister Jens Frederick Nielsen, and then they were scheduled to hold a joint press conference, which was expected to focus on unity and the safety of the Arctic.
Greenland’s resigning prime minister, Mute B. Egede, was also on board. The three leaders were drawn overlooking the ocean and were seated in a helicopter while riding in the marine patrol container HDMSVædderen.
Mette Frederiksen speaks with Jens-Frederik Nielsen, the newly elected head of government in Nuuk, Greenland. Photo: Mads Claus Rasmussen/Reuters
In contrast to last week’s visit by US Vice President JD Vance, after diplomatic protests, it was limited to Pitafik at the US military base, and no representatives from Greenland or Denmark were involved – Fredericksen was greeted at the airport by Egae and met Nielsen.
On Wednesday, Fredericksen said: “When Greenland is in a difficult situation, the kingdoms of Denmark and Europe are in a difficult situation.
“Regardless of future debates about our federation, it is clear that pressure from Greenland Americans in relation to sovereignty, borders and futures has us having to stand together.”
With a clear signal to Trump, he has repeatedly said he wants to repeatedly gain control of the autonomous territory, part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and has not ruled out military or economic forces to do so. She said:
On social media, she posted a photo of herself along with her next and leaving leader, including the message “Cooperation, Equality, Security.”
Fredericksen’s visit was initially criticized by members of the Governing Union, as the new government has not yet been formally recognized. But before she arrived, Nielsen said: “Denmark is our closest partner and it’s natural to meet as soon as possible.”
Fredericksen was last in Greenland during a joint visit with Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission.
As a former Danish colony, Greenland remains in the Kingdom of Denmark and continues to control the territorial foreign and security policies.
Greenland’s long-term independence movement has gained momentum over the past few months. The momentum appears to be hoping to capitalize on the Trump administration, particularly after the revelation of alleged abuse of Greenlander by the Danish state.
Mette Frederiksen is walking with resigned Prime Minister Mute B Egede of Greenland in Nuuk. Photo: Mads Claus Rasmussen/EPA
However, the threat of US intervention appears to have slowed Greenland’s appetite due to a rapid movement towards independence.
Last month’s general election led to the US-Trump-friendly parties leaving coalition talks, and four other political parties led by Nielsen’s Democrats signed the coalition agreement hours before Vance landed in Greenland last Friday.
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Fredericksen’s visit comes amid reports from the US that the government is preparing an estimate of what will be expensive for the White House to control Greenland as territory.
According to the Washington Post, the White House Budget Office assesses Greenland’s operating costs and cites estimates of the amount of revenue generated from natural resources.
Some options on the table include Denmark providing Greenland with a higher figure of approximately £500 million a yearly subsidies than it is now.
Vance spoke with Pituffik’s US military and said the US must gain control of Greenland to stop the threat from China and Russia, claiming Denmark “is not doing a good job by the people of Greenland.”
In Washington, Trump argued that the US needed Greenland for “world peace.”
He said: “We need Greenland. Very importantly, we have Greenland for international security.”
