Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen stated unequivocally on Tuesday that his territory would choose to remain part of the Kingdom of Denmark rather than align with the United States if forced to make such a choice, a sharp message delivered ahead of crucial meetings at the White House.

Speaking at a joint press conference in Copenhagen alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Nielsen emphasised Greenland’s commitment to its historic constitutional ties, alliance with NATO, and affiliation with Europe.

“We are now facing a geopolitical crisis, and if we have to choose between the United States and Denmark here and now then we choose Denmark,” Nielsen said, underscoring that Greenland does not want to be owned, governed by, or become part of the United States.

“Greenland is not for sale,” he added, framing the position as one of national integrity and collective choice amid heightened international attention ahead of planned diplomatic discussions in Washington with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The statement comes against the backdrop of renewed interest from the United States, particularly from President Donald Trump, in Greenland’s strategic Arctic location and resource wealth.

Trump has repeatedly raised the prospect of U.S. acquisition or control of the territory, citing national security concerns related to Russian and Chinese activities in the Arctic.

Those proposals have drawn strong rebukes from Greenlandic and Danish leaders who emphasise self-determination and respect for existing sovereign arrangements.

Danish Prime Minister Frederiksen acknowledged the difficulty of resisting pressure from a long-standing ally, noting that standing up to such overtures was not simple, but stressing that Danish and Greenlandic unity remained paramount.

Both officials framed their upcoming meeting with U.S. delegates as an opportunity for open dialogue while reaffirming their preference for diplomatic engagement over confrontational rhetoric.

The robust defence of Greenland’s constitutional status also reflects widespread sentiment on the island, where surveys have shown strong support for maintaining ties with Denmark and little appetite for becoming a U.S. territory.

The forthcoming discussions in Washington represent a test of transatlantic relations, highlighting broader geopolitical debates over Arctic security, alliance cohesion and the rights of autonomous regions within established nations.

As Greenlandic and Danish representatives prepare to engage with U.S. officials, the message conveyed in Copenhagen is clear: Greenland’s future remains anchored in its historic partnership with Denmark, NATO, and the European Union.