Following weeks of pressure for the United States to gain control of Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, President Donald Trump announced on 21/1 that he had reached a framework agreement he found satisfactory. Many residents in Nuuk, Greenland's capital, immediately expressed skepticism about the White House leader's statement.

"'Simply put, Trump is lying', technician Mickel Nielsen, 47, told AFP. 'I do not believe a word he says. I think I am not alone in that feeling'."

"'President Trump? I do not believe him', said Anak, 64. 'Greenland belongs to the people of Greenland'."

Resident Miki shared a similar perspective. 'He can say one thing, and then two minutes later say the complete opposite', Miki commented.

Residents follow news about President Donald Trump at a cafe in Nuuk, Greenland on 21/1. Photo: AFP

President Trump stated that the positive outcome was achieved during his meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on the sidelines of the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. NATO also confirmed that Rutte had a 'very productive' meeting with Trump.

Neither side provided specific information about the framework, nor did they address whether the agreement meant the United States would control the Arctic island, a demand Trump had made repeatedly.

"'NATO absolutely has no right to negotiate anything about us or Greenland. There is no question of decisions about us being made without our participation', said Aaja Chenmitz, one of the island's two representatives in the Danish parliament."

"'NATO's involvement and demand for a say over Denmark and Greenland's mineral resources is completely absurd', Chenmitz continued."

Location of Greenland island. Graphic: BBC

Greenland is the world's largest island, located near North America, between the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. The island belongs to Denmark, has a population of 57,000 people, and covers an area of approximately 2,16 million square kilometers. Its location on the shortest route from North America to Europe makes it a strategically important site for Washington. Greenland possesses abundant mineral resources, most of which remain untapped.

After assuming his second term, Trump aggressively pushed for the United States to control the island for national security purposes, escalating tensions between the US and Europe. Danish officials repeatedly affirmed that Greenland is not for sale and that the US could increase its military presence under the 1941 treaty signed by both parties.

Greenland Premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen announced in mid-January that the autonomous territory would choose to remain part of Denmark rather than become a part of the United States. A poll conducted in 1/2025 also showed that 85% of Greenlanders opposed joining the US, while only 6% chose the opposite.

Nhu Tam (According to AFP)