At first, no one really believed that Donald Trump was really serious about owning Greenland, using military force if necessary. But people became more alarmed after Katie Miller, the wife of Trump advisor Stephen Miller, published a meme with a map of Greenland in the colours of the American flag and the word “Soon”. 

At that time, Trump had just kidnapped Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, so - if it wasn't already obvious - it was no abundantly clear that Trump takes no notice of international law. If he could remove Maduro from Venezuela, it was plausible that he could do something similar in Greenland, despite previous assurance from Greenland’s leaders that Greenland was a self-governing state and it would be against international law to invade. And “buying” it was plain ridiculous.

Denmark was shocked, scared and adamant. “Greenland is ours,” they insisted. The audacity of a NATO country threatening another NATO country was unbelievable in their eyes, and would weaken NATO as a whole. Talk of military action was only averted at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Trump’s reputation outside the US is low, to say the least. And it is known that he often retracts from what he says, perhaps under pressure from others wiser than him. What Trump says one day does not necessarily hold true the day after. Nevertheless, his talk of “we need Greenland for military purposes, for our Golden Dome project” was enough for various European countries, as well as the UK, to send nominal numbers of military personnel to Greenland. The Golden Dome is a missile defence system the USA is looking to build, which would use a system of satellite and ground-based “interceptor” weapons to detect and destroy ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles.

Solidarity action in Iceland

On January 24, Iceland’s Campaign Against Militarism (CAM) held an action in support of Greenland opposite the Greenland consulate in Reykjavik. The event included a speech from former-parliamentarian Steinunn Þóra Árnadóttir (Steinunn Thora Arnardóttir) who - as a member of Iceland’s parliamentary Althing - chaired the West Nordic Council from 2021 to 2024.

Arnadottir pointed out that although there were differing opinions on how soon Greenland should request independence from Denmark – Denmark is currently responsible for foreign and security policy as well as currency policy – in last year’s election many people emphasized improvements in healthcare, education and infrastructure to strengthen the society and prepare for independence. However, given the current situation, staying with Denmark is much preferred to being under the US.

Arnardóttir also pointed out that the Arctic has always been regarded as a low-tension zone, and it has always been a conscious political decision to keep it that way. But now, thanks to Trump, soldiers of different nationalities have descended on Greenland. It is by no means a low-tension zone at the moment.

Greenland is party to a Defence Agreement with the US and Denmark, which has always centred more on the interests and defence of the Americans than of Greenlanders (the same applies to Iceland’s Defence Agreement with the US). The Agreement was made between the US and Denmark, and much was kept secret from Greenland’s government. 

The Americans currently have access to military bases and mines in Greenland. But they have an ugly history in Greenland. Over time, they closed down several bases – but left behind nuclear waste, oil pollution and military junk – and renamed Thule, their remaining base where nuclear weapons were stored, Pituffik. Arnadottir told the gathering that for years, American military planes with nuclear weapons on board flew over Greenland, only landing to refuel. One such plane crashed near Thule, releasing radioactive material and a hydrogen bomb component into the environment. The workers who were hired to shovel the radioactive snow were not told about it, and many of them died of cancer.

Mining is also problematic in Greenland due to infrastructure problems and high levels of uranium and thorium in the bedrock in some areas, including areas where rare metals could be mined. The radioactive metals were used by Denmark during the Cold War for its nuclear reactors and for weapons production. In 2021, however, the Greenland government banned the opening of new mines where levels of radioactivity exceeded 100 parts per million on environmental and health grounds. But would Trump respect this? Probably not.

Meanwhile, in Denmark more and more people are using an app - called nonUSA- to boycott American products. Greenlanders say they have no idea of what was agreed in Davos between Trump and Mark Rutte, secretary-general of NATO, and still fear a takeover or annexation of Greenland by the US. And if the Americans open more bases in Greenland, American law will rule within them.

The action outside the Greenland consulate was called at short notice – only about two days before – yet attracted over 100 people, including a few Greenlanders. Besides Arnadottir, Anton Helgi Jónsson (Anton Helgi Jonsson) recited poems about Greenland, and the newly appointed consul for Greenland, Karsten Peter Jensen, said a few words.

Iceland is in Greenland’s back yard, so Icelanders are very aware of what is happening there. Historically, we are also very close to Denmark, as Iceland only gained full independence from Denmark in 1944. In addition, Iceland’s proximity to Greenland has meant that some have speculated whether Iceland would be utilized if the US decides to take military action there.

One of CAM’s main campaigns is against NATO, so we are against NATO “solving” the issue, which is at odds with the attitude of our gung-ho Foreign Affairs Minister, Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir (Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir), who immediately supported her Nordic colleagues in their negotiations and talks with Greenland and the US. Iceland is seen as a key member of NATO because it is situated halfway between the US and Europe.

Let’s hope that Greenland – Kalaallit Nunaat – remains as it is, and does not become part of the US.