Demonstrators began gathering in front of Copenhagen City Hall as part of a series of protests taking place across Denmark and Greenland against the United States (U.S.) President Donald Trump and his plans to take control of Greenland.
The demonstrations were held on the same day that a U.S. delegation, made up of lawmakers from both political parties, was in Copenhagen for talks with Danish and Greenlandic officials. Other actions were planned later yesterday in Greenland and in other parts of Denmark.
A message of support for democracy and human rights
The aim of the protests is, as stated on its website by the organization Uagut, which brings together Greenlanders in Denmark, the “sending of a clear and unified message of respect for Greenland’s democracy and fundamental human rights.”
“In these times, it is important that we show unity and broad cooperation. We demand respect for Greenland’s right to self-determination and respect for the people of Greenland. This is not a struggle only for Greenland, but also for the rest of the world,” said Poul Johannesen from the civic initiative Hands Off Kalaallit Nunaat.
“We are demonstrating against U.S. statements and ambitions to annex Greenland. We hope to show that there are many of us who support Greenland,” said Camilla Siezing, president of the Inuit Association.
U.S. envoy: A deal should be reached
Trump’s special envoy for Greenland, Jeff Landry, said on Friday that an agreement under which Washington would take over the island “should and will be reached” during this visit, adding that Trump is “serious” in his intention for the U.S. to gain control over this largely autonomous territory that is part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Tariff threats and the reaction of NATO allies
Donald Trump on Friday threatened to impose tariffs on countries that oppose his plans to annex Greenland. Earlier this week, several NATO allies – including France, Germany, the United Kingdom (UK), Norway, and Sweden – deployed troops to the Arctic island.
On that occasion, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated that the defence of Greenland is a “shared concern of the entire NATO alliance.”
“Mr Tariff” and “King Tariff”
In his latest posts on the social network Truth Social, Trump further escalated tariff threats against countries that do not “align” with his plan to annex Greenland.
Late on Friday, he posted a black-and-white photograph of himself sitting at a desk in the Oval Office, with a serious facial expression and clenched fists, accompanied by the message: “Mr Tariff.”
He posted the same photograph again in another post, with the caption: “King Tariff.”
