Over the weekend, Greenland witnessed its largest organized demonstrations to date as thousands of residents protested against repeated threats by the U.S. President Donald Trump to take over the territory.
On Saturday, January 17, 2026, thousands of protesters marched through the capital city of Nuuk to the U.S. consulate. Authorities estimated that nearly one in four inhabitants of the city participated.
Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, too, joined the march in Nuuk, waving the Greenlandic flag and addressing the crowds.
Protesters carried signs reading "Greenland is not for sale" and "Hands off Greenland". Many wore red caps with the slogan "Make America Go Away," a parody of Trump's signature brand.
Large solidarity protests also occurred in Denmark (including 15,000 to 20,000 people in Copenhagen) and other Greenlandic towns.
Primary Causes of Latest Tensions
1. Annexation Threats: Tensions escalated after Trump claimed the U.S. would acquire Greenland "one way or the other," suggesting the potential use of force.
2. Trade Retaliation: During the Nuuk protest, news broke that Trump had announced a 10% import tariff (starting February 2026) on goods from eight European countries—including Denmark—that oppose U.S. control of the island.
3. Military Presence: Recent deployments of troops from France, Germany, and other NATO allies to Greenland for security exercises have further intensified the geopolitical standoff.
Public Sentiment:
A January 2025 poll had indicated that 85% of Greenlanders had opposed joining the United States, while 84% supported independence from Denmark in the long term.
Demonstrators emphasized their rights, as Inuit indigenous people, to self-determination and sovereignty over their land...
