NUUK — Greenland’s prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, has told the island’s population and authorities to prepare for the possibility of invasion, saying that while such a scenario is unlikely it cannot be ruled out as tensions rise over US demands to take control of the territory.
Mr Nielsen spoke at a press conference in Nuuk on Tuesday, urging readiness “for all possibilities” and noting that Greenland falls under Nato through the Kingdom of Denmark. He said any escalation would have implications beyond the Arctic.
The warning came as Denmark increased its presence and expanded a Danish-led exercise with selected Nato partners. Danish broadcaster TV2 reported that 58 troops arrived in Greenland on Monday, joining about 60 deployed earlier, with activity in and around Nuuk and in the Kangerlussuaq area in western Greenland. Denmark’s armed forces said Arctic Endurance is continuing this week and is focused on those locations.
The security messaging has developed against the backdrop of a trade ultimatum from President Donald Trump, who has renewed his demand for US ownership of Greenland. In a Truth Social post reported by Reuters, Mr Trump said 10 per cent tariffs would take effect on February 1 on goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland and Great Britain. He said the tariff would rise to 25 per cent on June 1 and would remain until a deal was reached for the United States to purchase Greenland, Trump wrote.
European leaders have rejected the linkage between tariffs and sovereignty. Sir Keir Starmer said it was “completely wrong” to apply tariffs on allies for pursuing collective Nato security, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa posted that the EU stood in “full solidarity” with Denmark and Greenland and warned that tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations.
The targeted countries reiterated support for Denmark. Demonstrations were held in Denmark and Greenland against Mr Trump’s demands, with calls for the territory to determine its own future.
Mr Trump has described Greenland as strategically essential, citing its location between North America and Europe and its natural resources. He has not ruled out using force to secure control of the island, and wrote that European countries opposing his plan were “playing this very dangerous game”.
Under a 1951 defence agreement, Washington operates what is now Pituffik Space Base in northern Greenland and may deploy forces in the Danish territory. European officials have argued that existing arrangements provide a framework for security cooperation without altering sovereignty, while the Greenlandic government has said decisions about the island’s future rest with Greenlanders and the Kingdom of Denmark.
Denmark’s Joint Arctic Command has sought to separate operational priorities from the political dispute. In an interview reported by Reuters last week, Major General Søren Andersen said the command’s focus remained on monitoring potential Russian activity in the region rather than preparing for a conflict with the United States.
The dispute has drawn in other capitals. Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, said on Tuesday that Greenland was not a “natural part” of Denmark, according to Reuters, remarks made as Moscow denied any interest in intervening in Greenland’s affairs.
Greenland’s strategic value has grown as Arctic sea ice retreats and seasonal access to northern routes expands. The island also holds deposits of rare earths and other minerals used in defence and high-technology supply chains.
The confrontation has had financial effects. Reuters reported on Tuesday that global markets sold off amid renewed tariff threats tied to the Greenland dispute, with investors moving into safe-haven assets. Reuters also noted that the tariff plan has sharpened attention on US presidential trade powers, with the Supreme Court considering a case on the legality of sweeping tariffs.
In Greenland, the government’s emphasis has been on resilience and continuity. Mr Nielsen framed his remarks as precautionary, with officials signalling that civil preparedness planning will be reviewed alongside Danish reinforcements and allied exercises. Diplomatic contacts are continuing in Washington, Copenhagen and European capitals as the tariff deadline approaches, with Nato discussions expected to continue in Brussels.
