Thousands flock to US embassy in Copenhagen in protest over Trump’s takeover talk

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (CN) — Demonstrators in Denmark gathered in the Scandinavian country’s largest cities Saturday to protest against Donald Trump’s Greenland takeover plan.

The U.S. president has repeatedly urged Greenland to join the United States and has not ruled out military intervention if the close NATO ally, Denmark, blocks the transfer of the Arctic island.

About 15,700 people marched in Copenhagen from City Hall to the U.S. embassy on a foggy day, with temperatures around minus 3 degrees Celsius on the Chill Index.

“Hands off Greenland” and “Greenland is not for sale” echoed through the demonstration, which lasted longer than its scheduled two hours. Organizers urged protesters to remain peaceful and respectful and to follow guidance from authorities.

Minutes after reaching the Stars and Stripes in Copenhagen, Courthouse News spoke with Anna Møller, a Greenlandic-Danish resident participating in Saturday’s protest march.

“I am so touched by the support we see today. I did not expect so many people. I am happy and proud. It has been such an uneasy period, so it’s great to see so many who support us. Not just here, but from other parts of the world too,” she said.

European leaders have voiced support for Greenland and Denmark’s territorial rights, with military personnel from several European countries currently deployed to Greenland for a joint exercise.

Despite heightened security on the Arctic island, Trump said Saturday he plans to impose a 10% tariff — rising to 25% by summer — on goods entering the United States from countries that have “journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown,” he wrote on Truth Social.

Such a move would draw other members of the European Union into the line of fire, as the economic bloc operates as a unit.

Greenlandic politicians and media figures have, of late, reported on the fear that is sweeping the close to 60,000 population of Greenland. Children and adults are reportedly anxious, with some losing sleep over whether their homes will get invaded by the world’s greatest military force. So is Møllers friends and family.

“They are really impacted by the situation. Maybe you can laugh about it, but they can’t sleep and have been afraid since 2019, when Trump first started this talk. While we hear sirens here, they in Greenland now hear helicopters. There are reporters everywhere, and it makes them feel uneasy,” she said.

Close to Møller stands her cousin Katrine, who shares the family name. She spends most of her time in Nuuk, the capital.

“There are mixed emotions from people concerning the helicopter noise. Some are overwhelmed, others feel like help is coming. Some are scared of what Nuuk will become when everyone is there,” said Katrine Møller.

Both are touched by the unity shown by Greenlandic and Danish politicians over the past week under heavy American pressure. It’s amazing, they both said.

“We hope that the Americans will gather together to stand against Trump and set some boundaries. I feel that the resistance against Trump can get bigger after the next midterms,” said Anna Møller, as Katrine nodded beside her.

That support was teased in Copenhagen yesterday, as a U.S. delegation comprising 11 senators and representatives is in town discussing the diplomatic crises with politicians and business leaders from Greenland and Denmark.

“Denmark and Greenland are part of NATO. In my opinion, that should be the end of this discussion,” said Senator Chris Coons at a news conference in Copenhagen on Saturday. "The greatest security threat is Russia's aggression against Ukraine,"

Likewise, the streets of Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, have hosted herds of protestors who marched to the American consulate, joined by Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen on Saturday, reports broadcaster KNR.

“Touching to see the great support for Greenland and the Greenlandic people. Today, many people have chosen to spend their Saturday attending demonstrations in support of Greenland. Greenlandic and Danish flags side by side. It's great to see. Our shared history has many chapters. The pictures today show a strong community,” wrote Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Facebook.

Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, which controls security and foreign policy. The world’s largest island sits along a strategic buffer between Russia and Washington, and melting ice is opening new shipping routes and exposing rare minerals vital to green technology, drawing interest from China.

Trump has stated the United States needs to acquire Greenland for security reasons, despite an existing agreement with Denmark that already allows the expansion of U.S. military bases on the island, provided Danish authorities are notified.

Greenland and Denmark have jointly rejected Trump’s takeover proposals — whether through a financial deal or military force — warning such a move “could end NATO,” Frederiksen has said.

Courthouse News correspondent Lasse Sørensen is based in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Follow @LasseSrensen13