Greenlanders stand firm as U.S. eyes control of Arctic territory

As the icy waters of the Arctic shift under the weight of geopolitical tension, the people of Greenland find themselves at the center of a modern-day struggle for sovereignty. With the Trump administration making renewed efforts to exert control over the strategically valuable island, Greenlanders are uniting to assert their independence and resist external pressures.

Lisa Sólrun Christiansen, a 57-year-old knitter from Nuuk, starts her mornings crafting traditional Inuit wool sweaters, cherished worldwide for their warmth and intricate patterns. Yet, the quiet rhythm of her life is increasingly disturbed by headlines about U.S. President Donald Trump’s ambitions for Greenland.

“I get overwhelmed,” she says, gazing out at the floating icebergs that dot the sea. Her father, an artist and educator, designed Greenland’s red-and-white flag—a symbol of unity and national pride. As she reflects on his legacy, Christiansen worries that her homeland is becoming a pawn in a larger geopolitical game.

Greenland, an autonomous region of Denmark, has long been viewed as a strategically vital asset by world powers. Its vast mineral resources and location along key Arctic sea routes have drawn the interest of the United States, China, and Russia, particularly as climate change opens new shipping lanes and energy opportunities.

Tensions escalated recently when U.S. Second Lady Usha Vance announced a visit to Greenland to attend a national dogsled race, accompanied by high-ranking officials from the Trump administration. Soon after, Vice President J.D. Vance confirmed his plans to visit a U.S. military base in northern Greenland, raising concerns about America’s long-term intentions.

Speaking on behalf of President Trump, Vance declared, “We want to reinvigorate the security of the people of Greenland because we think it’s important to protecting the security of the entire world.”

However, Greenlanders view these moves as veiled attempts to assert U.S. dominance. The visit comes just days after Greenland’s newly elected parliament—opposed to U.S. annexation—took office, fueling local fears that Washington may attempt to override Greenland’s push for independence.

Outgoing Prime Minister Múte Boroup Egede was direct in his response: “Our integrity and democracy must be respected without any external interference.”

Greenland has been part of Denmark since 1721 but has steadily moved toward greater autonomy. In 2009, Denmark granted Greenland the right to declare independence at a time of its choosing. The island’s 56,000 residents—most of Inuit descent—widely support this goal but remain divided on the timeline and approach.

Trump’s renewed interest in acquiring Greenland is not new. During his first term, he suggested purchasing the island from Denmark, an idea that was quickly rejected. This time, however, he is pursuing a more aggressive strategy, linking Greenland’s future to U.S. national security interests.

While the island’s residents have limited power against a global superpower, Trump’s actions may have inadvertently strengthened their sense of national identity. “You have this feeling of pride and of self-determination in Greenland,” says Otto Svendsen, an Arctic expert in Washington. “Greenlanders are not cowed by this pressure—they are making their voices heard.”

The U.S. military presence in Greenland dates back to World War II, when American forces built a network of bases to secure the Arctic. Today, the Pituffik Space Base in northwestern Greenland plays a crucial role in U.S. missile warning and space surveillance operations.

Beyond military concerns, melting ice caps are making Greenland’s untapped resources—rare earth minerals, oil, and gas—more accessible. This economic potential has heightened global interest, leading to increased competition between the U.S., Russia, and China.

Greenlanders had hoped to leverage their strategic position to advance independence. Now, many fear it has made them vulnerable to foreign intervention.

Cebastian Rosing, who operates a water taxi service in Nuuk, shares the frustration of many Greenlanders. “It’s so weird to defend the idea that our country is our country because it’s always been our country,” he says. “We’re just getting our culture back after colonialism.”

Yet, despite widespread resistance, Trump has found some supporters in Greenland. Jørgen Boassen, a member of American Daybreak, an organization advocating closer ties with the U.S., believes Greenland’s future lies in cooperation with Washington. However, even he stops short of advocating for annexation, instead favoring a free-association agreement similar to the one between the U.S. and the Marshall Islands.

As Trump intensifies his campaign for control, the people of Greenland remain resolute: their future should be determined by Greenlanders, not foreign governments. With growing international interest in the Arctic, their fight for self-determination is more crucial than ever.

Lisa Sólrun Christiansen continues her knitting, her hands moving in steady rhythm. “We have to stand together,” she says. In the face of mounting pressure, Greenlanders are doing just that—united in their determination to safeguard their homeland’s future.