Danish PM strikes defiant tone on Greenland in New Year’s speech as Trump rehashes annexation plans: ‘we will stand firm’ | EUROtoday

The prime minister of Denmark has issued a defiant rebuke to U.S. President Donald Trump in her annual New Year’s speech, insisting that it’ll “stand firm” towards his plans to take over Greenland.

In a televised message Thursday night, Mette Frederiksen, of the ruling Social Democrats celebration, stated she was quickly beefing up the Scandinavian kingdom’s army power and strengthening safety within the Arctic.

Her theme was echoed by King Frederik X’s annual New Year’s Eve deal with, who highlighted new army coaching packages and praised Greenlanders’ “strength and pride” in a “turbulent time”.

It comes after Trump renewed his marketing campaign to annex the autonomous Danish territory by appointing a brand new particular envoy with the declared intention of “mak[ing] Greenland a part of the U.S.”

“Never before have we increased our military strength so significantly, so quickly,” Frederiksen advised viewers, in accordance with the Danish day by day newspaper Berlingske.

“In the past year, we have had to pay attention to a lot. Threats. Pressure. Derogatory language. From our closest ally for a lifetime.

“About desirous to take over one other nation, one other individuals. As if it it was one thing you could possibly purchase and personal …

“We are not the one’s seeking conflict. But let no one be in any doubt: No matter what happens, we will stand firm on what is right and wrong.”

Since returning to workplace in 2025 Trump has stepped up his calls for for Greenland to turn into a part of the U.S., at occasions even suggesting he could mount a army invasion to make it occur.

Last week he sparked contemporary outrage from Danish leaders by naming Louisiana’s Republican Governor Jeff Landry because the U.S. particular envoy to the territory, which is a part of the Kingdom of Denmark however largely self-governing.

“We need it for national protection,” Trump insisted throughout a press convention on December 23. “They say that Denmark was there 300 years ago or something with a boat. Well, we were there with boats too, I’m sure. So we’ll have to work it all out.”

Polls have discovered that Greenlanders overwhelmingly oppose changing into a part of the U.S.

In early December, Denmark’s intelligence service branded the U.S. as a possible menace to its nationwide safety for the primary time in historical past, citing its willingness to make use of financial and army energy to “enforce its will… even against allies.”

King Frederik’s speech didn’t point out Trump particularly, however warned that geopolitics is changing into extra harmful amid the ripple results of the warfare in Ukraine and Russian covert operations towards its European allies.

“Our greatest strength is to stand united – in the Kingdom of Denmark, in Europe and in NATO,” he stated, citing a brand new Arctic coaching program in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland for instance of Denmark’s “stronger defense.”

The U.S. consulate in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, is continuous to recruit unpaid interns to assist push ahead Trump’s annexation plans — probably on the expense of native taxpayers.

In a job itemizing noticed by the European information web site Euractiv, and first posted in 2023, the Consulate advertises 4 to 6 month internships giving formidable college students the prospect to assist “communicate U.S. foreign policy priorities to Greenlandic audiences.”

Unpaid internships are reportedly the norm in Denmark, with candidates typically supported by beneficiant scholar subsidies whereas they work and study. The Consulate’s itemizing says it is open to such college students, that means Greenlandic and Danish taxpayers would probably foot the interns’ dwelling bills.