Greenlanders staged a protest following the inauguration of an expanded United States consulate in Nuuk on Thursday. The event became a focal point for locals opposing US President Donald Trump’s ambitions to increase American influence over the Arctic island.
Local government officials notably avoided the opening ceremony, reflecting political unease. The consulate moved from a small wooden cabin on the outskirts of the capital to a significantly larger office in downtown Nuuk, drawing intense public scrutiny.
This expansion comes amid controversial remarks from the White House about Washington’s interest in gaining control over Greenland, which remains a semi-autonomous territory under Danish sovereignty.
In a political statement, Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and several other local politicians declined invitations to the official opening. Nielsen told the local newspaper Sermitsiaq that while no formal decision had been made, he would not attend the event.
Outside the new consulate, hundreds of demonstrators gathered, waving Greenland’s red and white flag and holding signs that read “USA, stop it.” Protesters chanted slogans such as “No means no” and “Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders,” expressing strong opposition to the growing American presence.
Tensions have escalated since January when the White House revealed that President Trump was considering options to acquire Greenland, including the possible deployment of US military forces. Although discussions have since shifted towards diplomacy, the prospect of military involvement alarmed European NATO allies.
Earlier this week, Greenland’s government announced progress in high-level talks concerning the island’s future, firmly stating that Greenland belongs to its people and is not for sale.
In an effort to calm local concerns, US Ambassador to Denmark Kenneth Howery delivered a conciliatory message during the opening ceremony, emphasizing ongoing partnership. He stated, “We will always be neighbours and stand by you, whatever future you decide for yourselves, as your allies and partners.”
President Trump has previously described Greenland, home to 57,000 residents, as strategically crucial for countering Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic region. Currently, the US maintains one active military base on the island, a significant reduction from the 17 bases it operated there in 1945.
