【Wen/Observer Net, Liu Bai】The U.S. President Trump's persistent pressure on Greenland has already triggered a backlash from many European countries. On January 11 local time, the Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said at a defense conference that Denmark is a firm ally of the United States, and the U.S. government should not threaten to "acquire Greenland," but instead should express gratitude to Denmark.

According to Bloomberg, Kristersson said during a meeting held in Saren town, Sweden, on that day: "The threatening remarks by the U.S. government against Denmark and Greenland have naturally received strong criticism. The United States should thank Denmark, a long-standing and very loyal ally."

Kristersson cited an example saying that more than 50 Danish soldiers have died fighting alongside U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He also warned: "The world order is facing severe threats unseen for decades." "The risk of large-scale conflicts is increasing, and the risk of small countries being sacrificed in the process is also rising."

The report said that these remarks further indicate that Europe is angry and worried about the recent direction of American foreign policy. It also highlights that European leaders are increasingly taking Trump's expansionist threats in the Arctic region seriously, fearing this trend may allow major powers like Russia to impose their will on smaller countries.

December 18, 2025, Brussels, Belgium, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson attends the EU Leaders' Summit. IC Photo

Trump escalated his remarks against Denmark on the 9th. He expressed his hope to reach an agreement in an "easy way" to acquire Greenland, stating that the United States needs Greenland to strengthen its national security. However, he added that he is also prepared to take "hardline measures" if necessary.

"No matter whether they are willing or not, the United States will take action in Greenland." He also stated that according to the 1951 agreement with NATO ally Denmark, the U.S. military presence on the island is insufficient to ensure its defense security.

After the U.S. military intervention in Venezuela, Trump revived the plan to acquire Greenland, which has caused widespread concerns among the 57,000 residents of Greenland. The general demand of the local people is ultimately to achieve national independence.

The 2009 agreement between Denmark and Greenland clearly recognizes that the people of Greenland have the right to choose independence. Although all five political parties have expressed support for independence, there are differences on the methods and timing of achieving independence.

Facing Trump's increasingly evident expansionist teeth, the leaders of the five political parties in the Greenland Parliament issued a joint statement on the evening of the 9th, stating that the Parliament will hold a meeting in advance to discuss how to respond to the threat of the United States trying to control this Arctic island.

"We once again emphasize that we require the U.S. to stop treating us with contempt," wrote Greenland's Prime Minister Jens Frederik Jensen in a statement posted on social media. "We do not want to be Americans, nor do we want to be Danes; we just want to be Greenlanders."

The statement pointed out that to ensure a fair and comprehensive political debate and safeguard the rights of the people, the Greenland Parliament will hold an early meeting.

The specific date of the meeting has not been determined. According to the information on the parliament's official website, the previous meeting of the Greenland Parliament was held last November, and it was scheduled to reconvene on February 3 of the following year.

The party leaders said: "We must make autonomous decisions about the country's future, without being forced into hasty decisions, deliberately delayed or unreasonable interference by other countries." They also added that they hope to conduct dialogue based on diplomatic means and international rules.

Greenland is located between Europe and North America, and its geographical location is of great strategic significance, as well as a key base for the U.S. ballistic missile defense system. If Denmark loses Greenland, it will completely lose its geopolitical influence in this Arctic region.

U.S. Secretary of State Rubio recently revealed that he plans to meet with Danish Foreign Minister Rasmussen this week to discuss the U.S. request for "buying the island." Greenland's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Research Møstgaard confirmed that he will attend the meeting. French media disclosed that the meeting might be scheduled for January 14, with the venue set at the U.S. Department of State.

This will be the first substantive meeting among the three parties, the U.S., Denmark, and Greenland, since Trump expressed his intention to acquire this Arctic island.

Reuters reported on January 10 that Trump had boasted about seizing Greenland, and this remark triggered a wave of support for Denmark across European countries, but this crisis also revealed an embarrassing reality: Denmark is seeking support from various sides to protect this territory, while the Greenland people desire independence.

Mikkel Wedebye Rasmussen, a professor of political science at the University of Copenhagen, admitted: "Denmark is risking exhausting its diplomatic capital to keep Greenland, but can only watch it leave."

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Original: toutiao.com/article/7594256408418271759/

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