Demonstrators gathered outside the newly opened U.S. consulate offices in Greenland’s capital as tensions continue over President Donald Trump’s push for greater American control in the Arctic territory.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
More than 500 protesters assembled in Greenland’s capital Thursday evening to oppose renewed U.S. efforts to expand influence over the Arctic island, demonstrating outside the newly inaugurated American consulate offices in Nuuk.
The crowd carried Greenlandic flags and signs rejecting U.S. involvement in the territory, with messages including “Go Home USA,” “Make America Go Away!” and “We are not for sale.” Other demonstrators held placards reading “Asu USA,” using the Greenlandic word for “stop.”
During the protest, participants turned their backs toward the consulate building and observed two minutes of silence in opposition to American policy toward the island.
The demonstration followed the official opening of the U.S. consulate’s new facilities in central Nuuk, attended by U.S. Ambassador to Denmark Kenneth Howery.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly argued that the United States must secure greater control over Greenland because of strategic national security concerns. Trump has warned that without a stronger American presence, the Danish autonomous territory could become increasingly vulnerable to influence from China or Russia.
According to Greenlandic broadcaster KNR, Howery told attendees during the inauguration ceremony that Trump had ruled out using military force to gain control of Greenland and said the island’s future would ultimately be determined by Greenlanders themselves.
Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen declined an invitation to attend the event.
The protest also came days after Trump’s special envoy for Greenland, Jeff Landry, concluded a four-day visit to the island. The trip marked Landry’s first visit since being appointed to the role in December.
Landry told AFP during the visit that Washington needed to increase its presence in Greenland.
“It’s time for the US to put its footprint back on Greenland,” Landry said. “Greenland needs the U.S.”
The visit reportedly occurred without an invitation from Greenlandic authorities.
Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, has increasingly become a focal point in international competition over Arctic resources, military positioning, shipping routes, and geopolitical influence as global powers expand activity in the region.
Trump’s continued interest in Greenland has remained a source of political friction both within Greenland and between the United States and Denmark since his administration first raised the prospect of expanding American control over the territory.
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