Key points
- Thousands protested in Copenhagen and other Danish cities, with solidarity actions planned in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital.
- Demonstrators carried banners such as “Hands off Greenland” and “Greenland is not for sale”, demanding respect for Greenlanders’ right to self-determination.
- Trump warned he may impose heavy tariffs on countries that do not support US plans to take control of Greenland, citing national security and Arctic competition with Russia and China.
- Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, Denmark retains control over defence and foreign policy, and both governments have firmly rejected any sale.
- A recent Reuters Ipsos poll shows only about 17 percent of Americans support Trump’s attempt to acquire Greenland, with large majorities in both parties opposing the use of military force.
- A bipartisan US congressional delegation in Copenhagen has distanced itself from Trump’s idea and expressed support for Denmark and Greenland.
- European leaders warn that any forced move on Greenland could trigger serious trade tensions and even new tariff battles with the United States.
Thousands of protesters gathered in Copenhagen under slogans like “Hands off Greenland” and “Greenland Greenlanders”, turning the city centre into a large solidarity march for the Arctic island. Demonstrators waved Greenlandic and Danish flags, chanted that “Greenland is not for sale” and accused the White House of treating the territory like real estate instead of a homeland with its own people and parliament.
Large rallies were also organised in other Danish cities, including Aarhus, Aalborg and Odense, with activists posting photos and live videos that quickly spread on social media. In Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, organisers have planned marches towards the United States consulate, with participants carrying Greenlandic flags to underline their demand for respect, democracy and self-determination.
Tariff threats and rising diplomatic tensions
The protests surged after Trump said he could slap tariffs on countries that refuse to “go along” with his plan to bring Greenland under US control, framing the island as vital for American national security. Speaking at a White House health event, he warned that nations opposing his Greenland strategy could face new trade barriers, extending the tariff playbook he previously used in disputes over Russian oil, Iran sanctions and drug pricing.
US officials and Trump’s special envoy for Greenland have signalled that Washington is exploring options ranging from a formal purchase offer to using broader economic and even military leverage to secure control over the territory. These statements have produced one of the sharpest diplomatic rifts in decades between the United States and Denmark, both founding NATO members, and have drawn criticism across much of Europe.
Greenland’s status and public mood
Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with its own parliament and government handling domestic affairs, while Copenhagen oversees defence and foreign policy. The island, home to about 57,000 people, has steadily expanded its self-rule since 1979 and has repeatedly stated that it is not interested in being sold or absorbed into another state.
Greenland’s leaders argue that Trump’s narrative, which stresses mineral wealth and strategic bases, ignores local wishes and international law on self-determination. Activist networks such as Greenlandic associations in Denmark and NGOs like ActionAid Denmark say their mobilisation is not only about one territory, but about defending democratic decision making, indigenous rights and the principle that land and people cannot be traded like property.
Opposition inside the US and European pushback
Trump’s Greenland plan is facing visible resistance inside the United States, including from a bipartisan group of lawmakers who travelled to Denmark to reassure leaders in Copenhagen and Nuuk that Congress backs Greenland’s autonomy. Members of the delegation stressed that the president’s takeover talk does not reflect the broader American public, pointing to polling that shows limited support for acquiring the island and strong opposition to using force.
European officials, including senior figures in the European Union and key member states, have warned that any unilateral move on Greenland could spark a new trade confrontation and deepen existing disputes over tariffs on steel, aluminium and other goods. Several NATO allies have also stepped up their security presence in and around Greenland at Denmark’s request, signalling that they view the island’s status as a matter of alliance stability and international law, not just US domestic politics.
Massive demonstration taking place right now in Denmark, demanding that the US take its hands off Greenland and show some respect for the ally that bled by its side in its hour of need. pic.twitter.com/n05bxctkrQ
— Daractenus (@Daractenus) January 17, 2026
